Governor Abiodun addressing the press today
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has acknowledged the difficult times Nigerians are going through due to daily rising cost of food and galloping inflation and has announced a N5 billion intervention fund to mitigate the effects of the harsh economic climate in the state.
Addressing a press conference at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta today governor Abiodun was quick to reassure that the Presidency too is not unconcerned with the plights of Nigerians in this troubled time.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for its commitment towards creating a brighter future for all citizens, and efforts in fostering a society where prosperity and well-being of the entire citizens prevail
“In a special way, we extend our appreciation to the President and Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his continuous efforts in navigating the complexities of our nation’s economic landscape.
“His dedication to steering the ship through turbulent times has not gone unnoticed,” he noted.
Governor Abiodun who said his N5 billion intervention fund would cover education, health, workers’ deduction and food palliative explained that his administration acknowledges the concerns raised by many of the citizens regarding the rising food prices and shortages, coupled with the depreciation of the Naira,
“We identify with you and are taking proactive measures to alleviate the impact of these challenges to guarantee the welfare, well-being and wellness of our citizens in this difficult time.
“In this direction and through targeted interventions, we aim to address these challenges by implementing a series of phased initiatives aimed at alleviating these burdens on all our citizens.
“The State has taken the following steps: Education Sector: Providing a minimum of 5 exercise books for all 850,000 students in our public primary and secondary schools.
“We are providing a one-time N10,000 education support grant for at least 100,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools in the state. Providing all 27,600 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide with an education grant of N50,000 each.”
He said his administration would provide insurance health cover for over 70,000 beneficiaries to include pregnant women, children, the elderly, market women and other members of the informal sector while pregnant women, under the Ibidero Scheme would be provided free pre-natal care, an additional N5,000 per birth and free post-natal care in the State Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centers across the State.
Governor Abiodun stated that provision would be made for food palliatives to include rice and other food items for about 300,000 households across the State.
“The State Government will commence to offset the backlog of inherited deductions. To this end, we are immediately committing N500 million monthly payment towards outstanding deductions. It is noteworthy that we have continued to pay N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the last 8 months.
“This brings our total immediate interventions as a responsible State Government to about N5 billion across all sectors of the State economy,” the governor submitted.
Abiodun, while praising people’ resilience and patience, told them that the current economic scenario is only a temporary phase that will soon pass.
“Let me assure you that the present economic situation is just a transient phase that will soon pass. Whatever we experience now are just necessary sacrifices that we have to make towards ensuring a greater tomorrow.
