ABUJA: Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has announced that his ministry is seeking to collaborate with the First Lady’s project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), particularly focusing on poverty reduction efforts.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Professor Yilwatda made this disclosure following a private meeting with First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja. The Minister took the opportunity to brief the First Lady on the compliance with President Tinubu’s directive regarding the release of minors involved in the protests that occurred on August 1. He confirmed that the minors were released as instructed on Tuesday and returned to their respective states, having been handed over to state governors.
Prof. Yilwatda emphasized the importance of partnership in alleviating poverty, especially among vulnerable groups, including women, as part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He stated, “Partnership is key to reduction of pover
ty in Nigeria and also create humanitarian services to everyone.”
He also reported the successful release and safe delivery of the minors involved in the protests, noting that the First Lady was informed of the developments to ensure further support and educational provisions through the office of the Governors’ wives in various states.
The Minister expressed the Ministry’s commitment to executing the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at alleviating poverty across the nation. He highlighted the Ministry’s willingness to partner with the RHI on its impactful activities and intervention programs that benefit women, youth, and children.
Prof. Yilwatda believes that the proposed partnership would enhance the Ministry’s ability to reach more women and vulnerable groups targeted by the initiative nationwide. He was recently inaugurated as one of the seven ministers by President Bola Tinubu on November 4, 2024.