Presidential Aide Disagrees with Falana’s Critique On Post-COVID-19 Fund Allocation....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Judiciary Should Not Determine Election Winners, Says Falana Human rights advocate and legal practitioner, Femi Falana, SAN….READ ALSO

Mr. Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has countered Mr. Femi Falana’s criticism of the N135 billion post-COVID-19 relief granted to 36 states in December, labeling it a misinterpretation of facts.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos, Ajayi refuted Falana’s claim made in a viral video during a memorial event for Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, alleging that N135 billion was disbursed to the 36 states in December 2023.

According to Ajayi, Falana exaggerated and embellished the details.

He stated, “The portrayal presented by the Lagos-based lawyer in the trending video is entirely inaccurate. Furthermore, he failed to disclose the actual reason behind the disbursement of the aforementioned amount to the states under the World Bank-funded NG-CARES Programme.”

Offering a detailed analysis, Ajayi highlighted the ongoing global economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting disruptions to the global supply chain, which are yet to be fully addressed.

He emphasized that COVID-19 exacerbated poverty worldwide, particularly due to the loss of livelihoods among rural communities and the urban poor.

“In the aftermath of COVID-19, the World Health Organization and World Bank continue to support nations in bolstering their healthcare systems and emergency readiness to better handle potential future public health crises,” Ajayi explained.

He clarified that in December 2023, the Federal Government disbursed N135.4 billion to the states to manage the aftermath of COVID-19 in line with the WHO and World Bank frameworks.

Ajayi stressed that the NG-CARES Programme, backed by the World Bank and implemented across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aimed to alleviate the economic and social shocks experienced by vulnerable populations.

The funds were allocated based on the results achieved by states and the FCT in their efforts to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians under the NG-CARES Programme.

Ajayi concluded by acknowledging the importance of critics in promoting transparency and accountability in public affairs but cautioned against relying on individuals who propagate half-truths and exaggerations.