Governor of Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the implementation of the Household Prosperity and Cash Transfer Programme in Ondo State, describing it as a significant humanitarian intervention for vulnerable citizens.
The governor disclosed that nearly 400,000 households across the state have benefitted from three tranches of the intervention under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Aiyedatiwa made the remarks on Monday in Akure while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, during a courtesy visit.
He said beneficiaries were drawn from all 18 local government areas of the state, adding that they were also being engaged to provide direct feedback on how the programme is being implemented and its overall impact.
However, the governor raised concerns over difficulties some beneficiaries face in obtaining the National Identification Number (NIN), warning that such challenges could affect registration and timely payment processes.
He urged relevant agencies to urgently address the issue to ensure smoother data verification and efficient delivery of funds.
Aiyedatiwa also commended the minister for personally engaging beneficiaries during his visit, noting that such interactions would strengthen accountability and improve service delivery.
Earlier, Doro explained that his visit to Ondo State formed part of a nationwide assessment of the cash transfer scheme under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He revealed that the state had so far received about N9.9 billion through multiple payment cycles covering three tranches of the programme.
Despite the programme’s broad reach, the minister noted that public awareness remains relatively low, stressing the need for stronger communication strategies and greater transparency in social protection initiatives.
Doro further disclosed that the Federal Government is working on a redesigned social protection framework, emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement in shaping future interventions that better reflect citizens’ real needs.
