In a modest hall at the Women Development Centre in Abakaliki, hope wore a new face — one not of grand promises, but of cash in hand and practical counsel. As the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (RHCCTP) unfolded its second phase in Ebonyi State, the message was clear: this intervention is a stepping stone, not a finish line.
Hon. Ann Aligwe, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and the programme’s Focal Person, urged beneficiaries to wield the ₦72,000 stipend wisely — as seed capital, not mere sustenance. “This is not free money to squander,” she stressed. “Let it birth a trade, however small. That is the spirit of Renewed Hope.”
Behind her words lay the reality of Nigeria’s current economic turbulence, where inflation gnaws at household incomes and where many tread the fine line between survival and despair. The cash transfer, according to Aligwe, is not charity, but policy — targeted and deliberate, aimed at cushioning hardship through self-reliance.
She was quick to acknowledge Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s role in creating an enabling environment for the programme’s smooth roll-out in Ebonyi, describing his administration as one that understands that social protection is not a favour, but a right.
Mrs Mercy Icha, the State Programme Officer, provided further insight. She noted that the ongoing disbursements are part of a national effort taking place across all 36 states and the FCT. “This is our second phase this year,” she said. “We are here to ensure no one is left behind.”
Icha also issued a stern warning: “Guard your PINs. Fraudsters are real. Report suspicious activities promptly. Surveillance teams are on ground. And no Point-of-Sale operator is permitted to overcharge,” she said, drawing a line against predatory practices that often mar such interventions.
At the heart of the operation was Comrade Michael Nwonu, the Training and Communication Officer, who balanced discipline with encouragement. “Let’s be orderly. Our staff are ready to work late if that’s what it takes to serve you well,” he declared. His plea to beneficiaries was simple: keep your phones on, stay alert, and follow instructions.
Beyond the announcements and disbursements, the event felt like a quiet shift in tone — from dependency to dignity. It was not lost on observers that the success of RHCCTP depends not just on policy or paperwork, but on people: those who run it, and those who receive it.
In Ebonyi, the Federal Government’s cash transfer programme is not just an economic measure — it is a quiet vote of confidence in the ability of ordinary citizens to rebuild their lives if given just enough capital, care, and clarity.
Whether that hope translates into lasting transformation will depend, not on the size of the cash, but on how it is used.
After all, as Aligwe reminded the gathering, “This money may not solve all problems, but it can start a journey — if handled with vision.”
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