2016 budget will target the poor, says Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that the 2016 Budget impacts positively on the over 110 million Nigerians who are extremely poor. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the VP spoke while receiving a delegation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that paid him a visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The delegation was led by the foundation’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Mairo Mandara. Osinbajo said the decision became necessary because President Muhammadu Buhari enjoyed the support of the poor during the electioneering period. The statement read in part, “According to the Vice-President, the Buhari administration enjoyed the electoral support of many poor Nigerians who have invested their hope in the new government. “He added that the Buhari presidency would deliver on its promises including the social investment programmes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer and the School Feeding Plan.” Osinbajo was also said to have received the Ambassador of South Korea, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk, who paid him a courtesy visit earlier in the day. They were said to have discussed how Nigeria and South Korea can deepen their diplomatic relationships, especially in the area of economic cooperation.