Economic relief for 154,412 Jigawa households as Renewed Hope Grant pays off
In a bid to improve the welfare of Nigerians across all social strata, the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, initiated the Renewed Hope Social Security Grant for underprivileged families in Nigeria.
So far, over 2 million families have been enrolled and have benefited from the initiative across the country, with significant impacts on household economies and social well-being.
In Jigawa State, over 154,412 less-privileged households have been registered as beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope non-conditional social security grant.
The programme comes at a time when the Jigawa State Government has prioritised youth empowerment and job creation as key components of its 12-point agenda.
Through various empowerment initiatives, the administration led by Governor Malam Umar Namadi has empowered over 500,000 youths and women, while hundreds of thousands of farmers have received substantial agricultural interventions, given that agriculture is the main driver of the state’s economy.
In addition, hundreds of thousands of other individuals have been supported and empowered in their existing trades to boost productivity, generate more income, create jobs, and eradicate poverty.
Governor Namadi believes that the state can only achieve sustainable growth when poverty levels among rural populations are reduced to the barest minimum and job opportunities are expanded for all.
The Jigawa State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency was among the first agencies established by the Malam Umar Namadi administration, reflecting its resolve to tackle unemployment and equip young people with the means to build productive lives.
The emphasis on youth empowerment is said to have been born out of experiences and encounters Governor Namadi had during campaign tours across the state’s 27 local government areas.
“During the campaign, one thing that stayed with me was the number of young people who came out to welcome us. I kept asking myself what we could do to justify the confidence they placed in us. That is why youth development remains a major priority for this administration,” the governor said.
He added that more than 10,000 young people have so far secured employment in the education, health, and agriculture sectors, while nearly 9,900 others have been engaged as security guards to maintain public infrastructure across schools, hospitals, and courts.
“Anything that concerns the welfare and future of our youths is something we embrace wholeheartedly. If opportunities are brought to Jigawa, we are ready to do more to ensure that more young people benefit,” he said.
Recently, while receiving a delegation from the Office of the Vice President and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Mr Akubo Adegbe, and Dr Iorwakwagh Apera, Senior Adviser at UNDP Nigeria, at the Government House in Dutse, Governor Namadi reiterated his commitment to partnering with them on youth development.
The governor highlighted the state’s investment in building technical skills among young people, recalling that 30 Jigawa indigenes were sent to China for specialised training on the operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery procured by the government.
“These tractors you have seen there—before bringing them in, we sent 30 young men to China. They have been trained on how to maintain and operate them. These young men assembled most of these tractors upon their return,” Namadi said.
Governor Namadi also expressed Jigawa State’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the UNDP in other areas that would advance economic growth and improve the livelihoods of citizens.
Regarding the Renewed Hope Social Security Grant, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Auwal Dalladi Sankara, explained that the ministry commenced the first phase of the grant distribution in January and is currently carrying out the second phase. So far, over 126,636 registered households have collected their payment cards across the 27 local government areas of the state.
Hon. Sankara noted that as the exercise continues, they hope to complete the distribution of the remaining 27,776 cards in time to ensure that the common man benefits from the social security package provided by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Commissioner added that President Tinubu increased the grant from N10,000 per two-month payment cycle to N25,000 per cycle. Each beneficiary is entitled to three payment cycles, totalling N75,000.
“The President reviewed the amount to enhance the impact of the programme, which is designed to help households improve their nutrition and family economy,” he said.
“The grant may sound small, but it has a great impact on the common man’s life and the national micro-economy. For example, if you analyse the working capital of food vendors, tea sellers, and other small local businesses, you will understand how such an amount can make a difference in society.”
“This exercise is going on smoothly in Jigawa State because of the support provided by His Excellency Governor Malam Umar Namadi, who is always passionate about any project or programme that can improve the lives of the common man in the state.”
“The Renewed Hope Social Security Grant is one of several programmes initiated by the President for improving livelihoods and the rural economy. This is also in line with Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda,” the Commissioner stated.
Hon. Sankara further assured the people of Jigawa State that President Tinubu and Governor Namadi are always working hand in hand to improve their lives and to place the state and country on a path of growth and prosperity for sustainable development.
In her testimony after receiving the Renewed Hope grant, Binta Musa of Rajo community in Dutse Local Government Area said she collected the N75,000 in February, and since then, her family’s life has improved significantly.
She noted that when she collected the money, she used N30,000 as capital to start selling awara (soya bean cake). She bought soya beans, groundnut oil, and other necessary ingredients.
“I started frying it only in the mornings. Alhamdulillah, today I fry it for buyers in both the morning and evening. This has significantly improved our livelihood and family economy. Today, I am proud to be complementing my husband’s efforts in feeding our family. This grant has rekindled and renewed my hope of having children who are well-fed, healthy, and educated,” Binta stated.
For Rabi Ismail Kiyawa, the grant has empowered her to expand her capital in cap-making.
“I reinvested N40,000 in cap-making, and I am happy to tell you that my income has increased because I now hire other people to make them based on the demand from customers,” she said.
As the Commissioner, Hon. Sankara, noted, the amount of money is not the main issue; rather, the purposeful use of the funds determines the impact.
Surely, based on the few testimonies on the programme, the Renewed Hope Social Security Grant has positively impacted the lives of thousands of families in Jigawa State, renewed their hope for a better future, and contributed to a better Nigeria.
