This came after it was reported that the N-Power beneficiaries under the umbrella of the National Association of N-Power Beneficiaries, Batch ‘C’, wrote to the President, asking him to take action regarding their unpaid stipends.
The beneficiaries asked the President to summon the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, for questioning over non-payment of their nine-month stipends.
The aggrieved beneficiaries in a letter written by their National Publicity Secretary, Adeshina Adex, lamented that for the last nine months, N-Power management had failed to disburse stipends to them, adding that in October, November and December 2022, less than 70% of the beneficiaries were paid while the rest were left unpaid.
Adex stated that no beneficiary of the programme was paid at all from January through September 2023, adding that non-payment of the nine months’ stipends had left beneficiaries in a state of financial uncertainty and despair.
On Friday, Mr Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, in a statement said that President Tinubu’s order was sequel to the conclusion of a painstaking verification exercise initiated and concluded by the ministry.
Zubair stated: “Announcing the release of funds, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty, Dr Betta Edu, said it was indeed a renewed hope for the Nigerian youths for the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“The minister pointed out that President Tinubu’s interest in Nigerian youths was evidenced by the numerous policies and programmes of his administration largely tailored toward providing opportunities for them. Advertisements
“I stayed awake with the N-Power team till 3 am at the office to ensure N-Power beneficiaries get paid before Christmas in line with the directive of the President.
“Now, I can confirm to you that the payment of NPower beneficiaries has commenced and the evidence is in their bank accounts.”
