The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described as surprising the approval of N3 billion by the current administration for verification of national register of the poor, saying it could only happen in Nigeria.

Obi said the equivalent amount spent for verification exercise would have made a significant impact if prudently and transparently managed.

He wondered why such a huge sum was approved for just verification of national register of the poor, when the same amount could have been directed towards actual poverty alleviation.

In a statement issued on his X handle on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor said the approval raises a fundamental question as to how come the data for poverty alleviation has not been verified on a regular basis.

He lamented the inability of the leaders to prioritise expenditure and focus on the critical areas of national development and national security, which he said are the challenges weighing down on the nation.

“It is very surprising to hear that the sum of N3 billion was approved for verification of national register of the poor. This can only happen in Nigeria. I have maintained that we must decisively deal with the issue of cost of governance in Nigeria now as a matter of urgency.

“Sadly, this very huge amount approved just for verification of national register of the poor is more than three times the amount of N908,699,435 which was budgeted for our National Library.

“This is happening at a time in our nation when we need all the manpower training to to keep our work force productive. Our national library, a very critical infrastructure in our nation, seemingly abandoned, lacks books and educational materials.

“The same amount, would have made a significant impact, if prudently and transparently managed. Moreso, with more than half of our population battling with absolute and multi dimensional poverty, one wonders why such a huge sum was approved for just verification of national register of the poor, when the same amount could have been directed towards actual poverty alleviation. This approval raises a fundamental question: how come the data for poverty alleviation has not been verified on a regular basis?

“The inability of we the leaders to prioritise our expenditure and focus on the critical areas of national development, and national security, are the challenges weighing down on our nation today.

“Unless we begin to sacrifice our personal comfort for the good of society, and begin to care more for the people, especially the less privileged ones, our nation will continue to grapple with all forms of societal ills caused by high level of poverty. “

https://.ng/2024/01/17/it-can-only-happen-in-nigeria-peter-obi-slams-tinubu-over-n3bn-social-register-verification/

President Tinubu should appoint this ewure as minister of reaction and social media affairs

They will leave the message and start attacking the messenger now just like their messiah Reno omockery. But like seriously Nigeria is a crime scene.

Only sentimentalists will disagree with Obi on this.

What justifies the budget for the verification exercise?

Will the government employe new staff for the exercise? Aren't there public servants already working in the sectors that will handle the exercise?

Will new equipment be bought for the sectors? If yes, what happened to the existing equipment in those sectors or have those sectors been existing without the necessary equipment?

By the time you answer the above questions, you will understand the move the government wants to make and the message Obi is passing.

immortalcrown:
Only sentimentalists will disagree with Obi on this.

Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

If the same amount had been budgeted for the national library, the loser would have found another excuse why that was not good enough.

In his own time as Governor, he locked up public funds in his own bank so that the bank can thrive and his own personal wealth can grow.

Yet the masses of Anambra suffered and many were destitute in Lagos while many languished in Asian jails when they embraced drug trafficking to escape the poverty in their state that then had this doofus as Governor.

Then he hid his corruption enabled state capture wealth in offshore accounts under his daughter's name.

Throwback:
Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

What justifies the budget for the exercise?

Will the government employe new staff for the exercise? Aren't there public servants already working in the sectors that will handle the exercise?

Will new equipment be bought for the sectors? If yes, what happened to the existing equipment in those sectors or have those sectors been existing without the necessary equipment?

By the time you answer these questions, you will understand the move the government wants to make and the message Obi is passing.

Throwback:
If the same amount had been budgeted for the national library, the loser would have found another excuse why that was not good enough.

Until this happens, you are wrong.

Throwback:
In his own time as Governor, he locked up public funds in his own bank so that the bank can thrive and his own personal wealth can grow.

Yet the masses of Anambra suffered and many were destitute in Lagos while many languished in Asian jails when they embraced drug trafficking to escape the poverty in their state that then had this doofus as Governor.

Then he hid his corruption enabled state capture wealth in offshore accounts under his daughter's name.

You are trying to deviate from the topic, just because you can't sustain yourself within the context of the topic.

Throwback:


Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

If the same amount had been budgeted for the national library, the loser would have found another excuse why that was not good enough.

In his own time as Governor, he locked up public funds in his own bank so that the bank can thrive and his own personal wealth can grow.

Yet the masses of Anambra suffered and many were destitute in Lagos while many languished in Asian jails when they embraced drug trafficking to escape the poverty in their state that then had this doofus as Governor.

Then he hid his corruption enabled state capture wealth in offshore accounts under his daughter's name.

Do you even understand the importance of library?

Throwback:


Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

If the same amount had been budgeted for

Oga, according to Sir Francis Bacon he said knowledge is power , no wonder the northern leaders fight against education for their followers and see how the north is today.

So you are saying it was better the money was stolen by Betta Edu and Tunji Ojo with their cronies than investing in Education for the citizens? No wonder you people support people like Buhari and Tinubu...

Throwback:


Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

If the same amount had been budgeted for the national library, the loser would have found another excuse why that was not good enough.

In his own time as Governor, he locked up public funds in his own bank so that the bank can thrive and his own personal wealth can grow.

Yet the masses of Anambra suffered and many were destitute in Lagos while many languished in Asian jails when they embraced drug trafficking to escape the poverty in their state that then had this doofus as Governor.

Then he hid his corruption enabled state capture wealth in offshore accounts under his daughter's name.

This comment is proof that Nigerians cannot be helped.

Let's sponsor a bill and legalize corruption

immortalcrown:
What justifies the budget for the exercise?

Will the government employe new staff for the exercise? Aren't there public servants already working in the sectors that will handle the exercise?

Will new equipment be bought for the sectors? If yes, what happened to the existing equipment in those sectors or have those sectors been existing without the necessary equipment?

By the time you answer these questions, you will understand that the move the government wants to make and the message Obi is passing.

The message Obi is passing is that he too would have spent the funds on something that does not address the hunger in the land.

The government has dedicated such funds to set up a structure that will generate and track records about those who are poor in Nigeria, which I reckon is to allow subsequent planning.

Obi is not interested in that, and complained that the National Library needs more funds and it is more critical.

So he has his own ideas, as the government have theirs.

Just as it was more critical to have Anambra public funds saved in his bank while Anambrarians who suffered his actions confirmed he was a wicked and visionless Governor.

If he becomes the President, let him spend public funds on his own ideas, while the critics then also suggest what better way things could have been done.

Throwback:


The message Obi is passing is that he too would have spent the funds on something that does not address the hunger in the land.

The government has dedicated such funds to set up a structure that will generate and track records about those who are poor in Nigeria, which I reckon is to allow subsequent planning.

Obi is not interested in that, and complained that the National Library needs more funds and it is more critical.

So he has his own ideas, as the government have theirs.

Just as it was more critical to have Anambra public funds saved in his bank while Anambrarians who suffered his actions confirmed he was a wicked and visionless Governor.

If he becomes the President, let him spend public funds on his own ideas, while the critics then also suggest what better way things could have been done.

First of all, answer my questions.

What justifies the budget for the exercise?

Will the government employe new staff for the exercise? Aren't there public servants already working in the sectors that will handle the exercise?

Will new equipment be bought for the sectors? If yes, what happened to the existing equipment in those sectors or have those sectors been existing without the necessary equipment?

Joey4321:


This comment is proof that Nigerians cannot be helped.

You want to help Nigerians with National Library?

Brendaniel:


Oga, according to Sir Francis Bacon he said knowledge is power , no wonder the northern leaders fight against education for their followers and see how the north is today.

So you are saying it was better the money was stolen by Betta Edu and Tunji Ojo with their cronies than investing in Education for the citizens? No wonder you people support people like Buhari and Tinubu...

You are confirming that every money budgeted would be stolen, even if it was budgeted on National Library as Peter Obi posited?

SpatialKing:


Do you even understand the importance of library?

Do you understand the importance of having a record/database of the poor in the country, and the resultant national planning efforts that will come off it?

Is that record not also a national library for national planning, or Peter Obi is too analog to know that a digital database is also a library?

Peter Obi thinks a National Library should only be about books and educational materials?

A real doofus he is.

I don't agree with Obi on this. I don't have a problem with the amount spent on verifying the social register, what we should be concerned about is if the money was used judiciously for the purpose, people can't read books when the stomach is empty.

This empty-headed human again

He criticizes for the sake of it but never shower enconmium on the FG unless Atiku does that first

Who takes him seriously anyway

Throwback:


You are confirming that every money budgeted would be stolen, even if it was budgeted on National Library as Peter Obi posited?

Where in my comment did I say that, do you read with your eyes or your nose, please show me where I said the money will be stolen?

Verification for social register that does not even exist and reviving a library that exist are they the same thing?

immortalcrown:
First of all, answer my questions.

What justifies the budget for the exercise?

Will the government employe new staff for the exercise? Aren't there public servants already working in the sectors that will handle the exercise?

Will new equipment be bought for the sectors? If yes, what happened to the existing equipment in those sectors or have those sectors been existing without the necessary equipment?

Your question is not for me to answer. I did not draw up the budget, nor did Peter Obi make any criticism about how the budget came about.

Peter Obi is suggesting that the funds could do something else, just as his own suggested spending of the funds could also do something else that other critics think is more critical.

Criticism should be constructive and not default.

I repeat, if he becomes President, he should worry about books in the national library and not about the poor.

Brendaniel:


Where in my comment did I say that, do you read with your eyes or your nose, please show me where I said the money will be stolen?

Verification or social register that does not even exist and reviving a library that exist are they the same thing?

Where in my own comment that you replied did I say the money should be stolen as opposed to serving the budgeted project of obtaining records?

You see that you were foolish to imply that every budgeted fund is for stealing.

kokoA:
I don't agree with Obi on this. I don't have a problem with the amount spent on verifying the social register, what we should be concerned about is if the money was used judiciously for the purpose, people can't read books when the stomach is empty.

As simple as ABC.

Peter Obi has his own preferred way to spend the money, but he his not the President.

Let him go to the streets and tell the masses that he would rather buy more books in the national library while they are hungry.

He was not called wicked and visionless Governor for nothing.

Throwback:


Where in my own comment that you replied did I say the money should be stolen as opposed to serving the budgeted project of obtaining records?

You see that you were foolish to imply that every budgeted fund is for stealing.

You should be ashamed of APC than sounding like your father

Throwback:


Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

Would the masses that are suffering multidimensional poverty consider that as a better expenditure?

If the same amount had been budgeted for the national library, the loser would have found another excuse why that was not good enough.

In his own time as Governor, he locked up public funds in his own bank so that the bank can thrive and his own personal wealth can grow.

Yet the masses of Anambra suffered and many were destitute in Lagos while many languished in Asian jails when they embraced drug trafficking to escape the poverty in their state that then had this doofus as Governor.

Then he hid his corruption enabled state capture wealth in offshore accounts under his daughter's name.

Obviously, you don't know the importance of a library assuming the money was spent on revamping our national library. This is why you have too many crack heads in Nigeria.

Good it was spent on social register for the poor which benefitted the poor no dime and no knowledge.🤡

Throwback:


Where in my own comment that you replied did I say the money should be stolen as opposed to serving the budgeted project of obtaining records?

You see that you were foolish to imply that every budgeted fund is for stealing.

Then why did you ask this question?

Do you agree that such funds could have been better expended on the national library as posited by Peter Obi?

It means you are justifying what Betta Edu and Tunji Ojo did with the money.

kokoA:
I don't agree with Obi on this. I don't have a problem with the amount spent on verifying the social register, what we should be concerned about is if the money was used judiciously for the purpose, people can't read books when the stomach is empty.

Are you spending 3 billion naira to very the social register of the poor for what purpose?

Still, the money was looted through presidential approval.

Throwback:


Your question is not for me to answer. I did not draw up the budget, nor did Peter Obi make any criticism about how the budget came about.

Peter Obi is suggesting that the funds could do something else, just as his own suggested spending of the funds could also do something else that other critics think is more critical.

Criticism should be constructive and not default.

I repeat, if he becomes President, he should worry about books in the national library and not about the poor.

If you can't answer my questions because you didn't draw the budget, why are you against someone who talks about the budget? Since you did not draw the budget, how are you sure that Obi's opinion is wrong for the budget?

Throwback:


The message Obi is passing is that he too would have spent the funds on something that does not address the hunger in the land.

The government has dedicated such funds to set up a structure that will generate and track records about those who are poor in Nigeria, which I reckon is to allow subsequent planning.

Obi is not interested in that, and complained that the National Library needs more funds and it is more critical.

So he has his own ideas, as the government have theirs.

Just as it was more critical to have Anambra public funds saved in his bank while Anambrarians who suffered his actions confirmed he was a wicked and visionless Governor.

If he becomes the President, let him spend public funds on his own ideas, while the critics then also suggest what better way things could have been done.

The bolded above is why I can never take Peter Obi seriously (even leaving aside his hypocritical posturing as a "saint" despite his manifest corruption). Either Obi criticizes without proposing any concrete alternatives - and no, nice-sounding generalities don't count - or when he does say something concrete, it turns out to be even more bone-headed than whatever it is he's criticizing! Even as far as tribal champions go, the SE can do far better than this third-rate intellect.

Iykopee:



Are you spending 3 billion naira to very the social register of the poor for what purpose?

You are asking the wrong question. You should be asking the government to explain how the 3 billion was spent and what were we able to achieve after it was spent. This is a country of over 200 million people with a good percent living below poverty line, 3 billion is not a huge amount to spend on getting accurate data.

Nigeria politicians are the luckiest politicians on earth 🌎🌎🌎🌎

immortalcrown:
If you can't answer my questions because you didn't draw the budget, why are you against someone who talks about the budget? Since you did not draw the budget, how are you sure that Obi's opinion is wrong for the budget?

Obi's opinion is not about wrong or right, he did not challenge the authenticity of the budget amount or claim it should have been a lesser amount. It is simply his own preference for more library books as opposed to government having records of the poor. Simply put, he does not see the need for such expenditure.

An ignorant fellow who does not know the benefit of having a digital database of the poor to effect better national planning.

mumu man, the library OBJ generated public fund to build, how has it help the poor masses. if this man is the best that opposition could present as a spokesman, then there's no hope for them to be in power for the next 50years.

kokoA:
You are asking the wrong question. You should be asking the government to explain how the 3 billion was spent and what were we able to achieve after it was spent. This is a country of over 200 million people with a good percent living below poverty line, 3 billion is not a huge amount to spend on getting accurate data.

Which accurate data are you talking about here? Oh, you expect this govt with its knack for profligacy to give you accurate data for what purpose after expending 3 billion naira?

How can anybody ever dream of giving accurate data of the poor with 3 billion naira when we already knew that 2/3 of the entire population are poor people?

Methinks this money was approved and embezzled with presidential alacrity.