By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
The National Cash Transfer Office of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, has held a one-day sensitization meeting on the Household Prosperity and Empowerment (HOPE) Programme.
The meeting, which took place at Chartwell Hotel in Bauchi, brought together stakeholders from government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, and faith-based organizations to deliberate on the successes and challenges of the programme.
In her presentation, the State Programme Manager, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulkadir, explained that the HOPE Programme is part of the National Social Safety-Nets Project Scale-Up (NASSP-SU), designed to uplift poor and vulnerable households across Nigeria. She assured participants that transparency, efficiency, and accessibility would be prioritized in delivering the initiative in Bauchi State.
According to her, the programme targets millions of households with direct cash transfers aimed at strengthening resilience and improving livelihoods. She commended the support of traditional rulers in identifying and supporting vulnerable citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Yakubu Wanka, the Director of Accounts and Finance, Usman Aliyu Zailani, said the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad is committed to alleviating poverty and improving the living conditions of the people in both rural and urban communities.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Jibrin Muhammad Yusuf, emphasized the need for synergy among stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Mallam Saleh Mamman, charged programme officers to uphold integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties to achieve the set objectives.
Stakeholders drawn from the Bauchi Emirate Council, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) office, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of Nigeria (FOMWAN), pledged to cascade the knowledge acquired to their respective communities.