The Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has vehemently refuted a fake news item circulating in the media. The misinformation alleges that a sum of N25 billion, supposedly designated for retired military pensioners from the Conditional Cash Transfer Funds, has been given to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar.
In a statement by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister, the public is urged to dismiss this report as not only false but a malicious attempt by mischief-makers to tarnish the image and integrity of the Honourable Minister.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the World Bank, is meticulously verifying the registered individuals to ensure that all deserving retired veterans and pensioners receive their entitlements after completing the verification exercise.
The press release emphasizes that the Ministry has not released, nor does it plan to release, any money designated for the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer to any individual or group. As per President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, funds will be directly sent to beneficiaries’ bank accounts upon confirmation of their details.
The press release concludes by urging the public, especially the media, to appreciate the well-intentioned efforts of the President in expanding the National Social Register and initiating the payment of N25,000 for three months to accommodate veterans of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It underscores the significance of not succumbing to distractions or misinformation propagated by naysayers.
