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Reps Demand President Tinubu Unfreeze NSIPA Accounts Within 72 Hours

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to unfreeze the accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours to allow for the swift recommencement of the agency’s programs.

In a related move, the House also resolved that Edun should ensure the immediate release of funds to NSIPA to pay the outstanding stipends owed to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries nationwide.

READ MORE: Terror-Hit Yobe: Gov Buni Spends N600m On Generators, N1.1bn On Stoves, Others

The amount due, totaling N81,315,440,000, has already been allocated under the 2023 and 2024 amended Appropriation Acts but is at risk of lapsing by December 31, 2024.

The resolutions came after the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Unfreeze the Accounts of the NSIPA for the Reactivation of all Social Investment Programmes of the Agency.”

The motion was jointly sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu and 20 other lawmakers.

Kalu noted that despite the critical role NSIPA plays in poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, and social inclusion, the agency’s activities have been severely hindered due to administrative bottlenecks, insufficient funding, and the continued freezing of its accounts.

Kalu stressed the importance of the agency’s programs, which include the N-Power scheme, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

He said these initiatives are vital for addressing the needs of vulnerable groups such as the unemployed, orphans, widows, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable senior citizens.

“The ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration emphasizes the mandate of NSIPA to cushion the effect of economic shocks on the poor and vulnerable,” Kalu said.

“It is disturbing that despite the agency’s vital role, its operations have been hindered by frozen accounts and other administrative obstacles.”

Kalu further expressed concern that the freezing of NSIPA’s accounts, coupled with allegations of financial mismanagement, has halted key welfare programs.

He emphasized that this is directly counterproductive to the president’s poverty alleviation efforts, noting that programs like the Conditional Cash Transfers and small business grants have been stymied.

“The suspension of NSIPA’s accounts contradicts the President’s mandate on poverty alleviation, hindering and halting crucial social welfare programs, which undermines efforts at economic empowerment,” Kalu added.

The Deputy Speaker also pointed out that the N-Power scheme alone has left 395,731 beneficiaries unpaid, with arrears of over N81 billion.

He urged that immediate action be taken to restore the agency’s accounts and fulfill the government’s commitment to poverty eradication.

The House also called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Nentawe Yilwatda, to take swift action to remove the administrative bottlenecks that continue to impede NSIPA’s operations.

As part of the resolution, the House instructed that the matter be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence, signaling the urgency with which lawmakers are pushing for the unfreezing of NSIPA’s accounts and the resumption of the agency’s crucial programs.

Kalu concluded, “Restoring NSIPA’s account aligns with the President’s vision, ensuring that poverty alleviation efforts remain effective, efficient, and impactful. Swift action is needed to maintain momentum towards the administration’s poverty eradication goals.”

 

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FCT Police Warn Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reject Calls From VIPs

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.

The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.

SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador

In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.

Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.

She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.

According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.

The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.

The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.

It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.

The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

 

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FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct

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Governors Contributing To Political Violence

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.

The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.

SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents

The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.

During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.

He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.

The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.

He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.

Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.

The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.

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2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

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Who is Senator Kashim Shetima, Tinubu's running mate

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.

Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.

SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election

One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.

The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”

Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.

The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”

 

 

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