Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Friday launched the second phase of the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer scheme, disbursing ₦75,000 each to 16,255 vulnerable residents across the state’s eighteen local government areas.
The official flag-off ceremony, held at the Akure South Local Government Secretariat, marked the distribution of Renewed Hope Debit Cards to thousands of beneficiaries under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), implemented in partnership with the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) and the Ondo State Government.
Mr Aiyedatiwa reiterated his administration’s commitment to social inclusion and economic empowerment, describing the initiative as a bold step towards realising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
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“Today, we take yet another bold step in our ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of our people, ensuring social inclusion, and fulfilling the promise of Renewed Hope for all,” the governor declared.
He disclosed that each of the 16,255 beneficiaries would receive a total of ₦75,000, paid in monthly instalments of ₦25,000 over three months directly through personalised debit cards.
The total sum injected into this phase of the scheme stands at ₦1,219,125,000.
Mr Aiyedatiwa recalled that the first phase, launched in November 2024, saw the distribution of 8,637 debit cards, with a total disbursement of ₦647,775,000.
He described the current phase as a significant expansion of the state’s social safety net.
“We understand the economic challenges that many of our people face, and this programme is a clear demonstration that the government stands with you,” he added, assuring that efforts were underway to expand the state’s social register to include more vulnerable households.
The governor thanked Mr Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for sustaining the programme, urging beneficiaries to use the funds wisely.
“I encourage you to invest in your families, support your businesses, and ensure that this opportunity translates to meaningful progress in your lives,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Social Investment, Alonge Kolawole, described the scheme as aligned with the governor’s “Our Ease” agenda, focused on improving living conditions for women and persons with disabilities.
He emphasised the transparency of the selection process, which relied on Community-Based Targeting Enumeration.
In his goodwill message, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), James Adekunle, commended Ondo’s proactive implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda, noting the state’s pioneering role in adopting federal social intervention programmes.
The Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Gbenga Fasua, and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, also lauded the governor for his people-centred leadership and effective alignment with national development goals.
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Delivering the vote of thanks, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Gbayisemore Orioye, praised Aiyedatiwa’s support, noting that Ondo had become the third state in the country to implement the scheme.
One of the beneficiaries, Falaye Emmanuel, expressed his gratitude for the financial support, describing the cash transfer as timely and a welcome relief to his household.
