By Chinonso Alozie

The Federal Government has disbursed over ₦6 billion to vulnerable households in Imo State under the Household Upliftment and Empowerment Programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interactive session with beneficiaries held at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Owerri.

Doro said the Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to support vulnerable citizens, improve livelihoods, and expand economic opportunities across the country.

He revealed that ₦6.63 billion was disbursed to households in Imo State, describing the beneficiaries as families supported during difficult times, including women, youths, and children.

“These represent families supported during difficult times, women empowered to improve household welfare, young people pursuing economic opportunities, and children whose education has been supported,” he said.

The minister added that a total of 278,727 households across the 27 local government areas of Imo State benefited from the programme.

He explained that his nationwide tour was aimed at verifying beneficiary data and ensuring transparency in the implementation of federal social intervention programmes.

Doro commended Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for his cooperation in implementing federal humanitarian initiatives in the state.

He urged more vulnerable households to take advantage of government intervention programmes aimed at economic empowerment and poverty reduction.

Imo State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Kenneth Okafor, also praised the Federal Government’s social welfare efforts and pledged continued support for the programme.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Maria Nwankwo from Ihitte-Ogada in Owerri West LGA, said she invested her grant in cassava farming and is already seeing positive results, expressing appreciation to the government.

The event featured the presentation of locally produced palm oil by beneficiaries to the minister as a token of appreciation for the intervention programme.