NEWS
FG Says Gov’t Alone Cannot Solve Nigeria’s Poverty Crisis, Calls for Broader Partnership
The Federal Government has declared that it cannot tackle Nigeria’s growing social and humanitarian challenges alone, urging faith-based organisations, the private sector, civil society groups and patriotic citizens to join hands in addressing the country’s worsening poverty crisis.
The call was made on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria’s N2 billion Endowment Fund and Integrated Charity Programme, an initiative designed to provide sustainable funding for humanitarian interventions, education, healthcare, legal aid, support for widows and orphans, correctional services and emergency relief.
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The appeal comes amid rising inflation and deepening economic hardship that have left more Nigerians relying on churches, mosques and charitable organisations for survival, stretching the capacity of both government and voluntary groups.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Chairman of the House Committee on Christian Pilgrimage Affairs, Hon. Festus Adefiranye, said solving Nigeria’s social challenges requires collaboration beyond government.
“Government alone cannot solve every social challenge confronting our nation. Sustainable national development requires a genuine partnership among public institutions, faith-based organisations, the private sector and civil society.
“Today’s event goes beyond the unveiling of an endowment fund. It is a reaffirmation of the enduring values of compassion, sacrifice, true worship and solidarity upon which every prosperous society is built.”
Abbas also commended the Knights of St. Mulumba for over seven decades of contributions to education, healthcare, youth development, justice and humanitarian services.
He praised the structure of the endowment fund, saying: “I am particularly encouraged that the endowment fund adopts a sustainable financial model, preserving capital while disbursing investment returns to support humanitarian causes year after year. This is a model of prudent stewardship and institutional resilience that deserves emulation by many charitable organisations.”
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented by his Special Assistant, Simon Tyungu, said Nigeria’s development challenges demand innovative solutions and stronger partnerships.
“Government alone cannot address every developmental challenge. Lasting progress can only be achieved through strong partnerships involving faith-based organisations, the private sector, civil society and patriotic citizens committed to the common good.”
Describing the initiative as more than just a financial scheme, Akume added: “It represents the institutionalisation of compassion, the sustainability of charity and the deliberate investment in humanity. It is a bold declaration that genuine service to God must find practical expression in service to mankind.”
He urged philanthropists, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, describing every contribution as “an investment in hope, dignity and a more compassionate society.”
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade, pledged support for the programme and encouraged Christian, Muslim and traditional faith organisations to establish similar initiatives for widows, orphans, displaced persons and other vulnerable Nigerians.
“Government cannot do this alone. Nor should it.”
Earlier, the Worthy Supreme Knight of KSM Nigeria, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN), said worsening economic conditions and declining membership contributions prompted the organisation to establish the endowment fund.
According to him, the Order, founded in 1953, has spent over seven decades supporting communities through education, healthcare, legal assistance, humanitarian services and women empowerment programmes.
“Our Order was founded in 1953. In its 73 years of existence, the Order has impacted communities through education, healthcare, humanitarian services, legal assistance and women empowerment programmes.
“As our society is advancing and our economic situation deteriorating, the need for these interventions has increased. These interventions have mostly been funded through dues and levies from members.
“Our membership strength is dwindling owing to death, age and economic decline. In order to respond to these increasing demands, we have to look for alternative ways of funding our charitable works.”
Adehi explained that the endowment fund would permanently change the way the organisation finances its charity programmes.
“We are building a permanent, professionally managed fund. We will keep its baseline capital entirely intact forever. Going forward, we will finance our charity programmes exclusively with the investment income generated by this fund, ensuring we never use the fund’s core capital. Instead, we will continue to grow the capital.”
He disclosed that the Order aims to raise an initial N2 billion, with contributions expected from members, corporate organisations and development partners.
To protect the fund, he said the organisation would amend its constitution to prevent present and future leaders from accessing the principal amount, while investment proceeds would be used to finance healthcare outreach, scholarships, humanitarian relief, legal services, correctional centre interventions, social justice advocacy and emergency support for communities affected by economic or ecological hardship.
“What we build today will serve the Church, strengthen communities and speak for us long after our time on earth has passed,” he added.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).
A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.
Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.
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The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.
As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.
Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.
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According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.
He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.
“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.
The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.
To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.
Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.
“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.
A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.
Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.
According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.
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He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.
“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.
Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.
Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.
As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.
The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.
Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.
He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.
Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.
The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.
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