Minister Urges BVN Submission for Social Security Benefits

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has urged individuals applying for social security cash grants to ensure they provide their Bank Verification Number (BVN), stressing that the funds will not be disbursed without this crucial requirement.

Speaking in Awka during the distribution of food and essential items to vulnerable groups, the minister clarified that the BVN is essential for receiving the grant. 

"The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been supporting the less privileged through the social security programme across the six geopolitical zones. However, only poor women are eligible to receive these benefits," she stated.

Reassuring applicants about the safety of their BVN, Kennedy-Ohanenye said, “Your BVN will not be used to steal your money; it serves as a safeguard to ensure that only eligible individuals, who have not benefited previously, receive the funds.”

She also reassured the public that the government is committed to alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians, adding that the positive effects of President Tinubu’s policies would soon be felt.

During the event, the minister oversaw the distribution of 5,000 bags of rice, over 500 bags of fertilizer, and 300 cooking gas cylinders. The gas cylinders were donated by Mrs. Yinka Opeke, CEO of Smartgas, to encourage a shift from traditional fossil fuels to gas for cooking, which Kennedy-Ohanenye highlighted as a healthier alternative.

“These items are from President Tinubu, and he has promised that more support is on the way. This distribution is for the poor, and only those who are present will benefit,” she emphasized, reinforcing the importance of directing aid to the intended recipients.

The minister also announced the creation of a mobile court to protect the interests of the underprivileged, warning that individuals who attempt to obstruct the poor from receiving benefits will face legal action when the court becomes operational on October 15. Additionally, she revealed plans to launch an “Integrity Brigade” to combat social ills.

“We are dedicated to serving Nigeria, and President Tinubu is committed to improving the welfare of the poor,” she concluded.