‘FG To Commence Payment Of N5,000 To Poor Nigerians,’

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on media, Garba Shehu, has revealed to newsmen that plans to disburse N5,000 monthly stipend to 1 million poor Nigerians is in its final stages.

Shehu said President Buhari feels the pains of the poor Nigerians, and is constantly working out ways to better their lives.

He said “For example, one million poor and vulnerable Nigerians will soon receivemonthly payments of N5,000 to allow them live decently,” he said, noting that the programme was designed to recognize the need for ordinary, poor Nigerians to also benefit from the resources of the country.“

President Buhari believes that the resources of our country should be spent also on the vast majority of our people who are poor and vulnerable, and not squandered by government officials or theelite.”He also revealed that the social investment plan has been included in the 2016 budget.Shehu said “About seven to eight states have been completed already. Now the Presidency is working with the World Bank and the Bill Gates Foundation on how to identify the people to be paid the N5,000 and how they will be paid.

“This is the first time that the federal government of this country will be spending this much on social welfare for poor, bearing in mind that the money will go directly to the beneficiaries.

”President Muhammadu Buhari has also refused to devalue the Naira, adding that he is not convinced of its benefits to Nigerians.