D'banj named ambassador of Nigerian social investment programme

The endorsement deal is his second this month, following an arrangement with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank in early August.

NSIP was established by the Nigerian government in 2016 as part of poverty alleviation efforts. Its programmes are geared towards ensuring equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations, including young people and women.

The musician was one of many high-profile personalities at the launch of a new NSIP programme on Monday. The programme will support 1 million young people with ₦30 000 (about $70) monthly stipends for a year to help them build capacity in their chosen fields.

Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq said the 1 million beneficiaries were selected from more than 6 million applications.

“We cannot do enough to eradicate poverty, but as an ambassador, I’m dedicated to this vision and open for creative ideas and strategies to bring down the walls of poverty in Nigeria,” D'banj said. “My heartfelt congratulations to the 500 000 beneficiaries of Stream 1 of Batch C. I also indulge them to make the most of this opportunity. Congratulations and God bless the honourable minister and each ministry fighting the good fight against poverty.”

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ Edward Kallon lauded the programme as an important step in redeeming 100 million Nigerians from poverty by 2030.

In March, D'banj’s Creative, Reality, Entertainment, Arts and Music (CREAM) platform partnered with the Heritage Bank to reward five emerging Nigerian creatives with ₦1m in the first of a number of monthly draws. The final draw, scheduled for 27 August, also commemorates five years of CREAM’s existence in Nigeria.