Natasha defends cash distribution to Kogi constituents
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Punch Newspaper
Reported by Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
Wed, 4 Nov 2026, 07:58
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“We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants. The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, came under criticism on social media after images and videos of the cash distribution at an event marking her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly circulated online.
Context & Background
✦However, explaining her decision before the grant distribution began, Akpoti-Uduaghan said previous empowerment exercises showed that some beneficiaries preferred cash because of immediate business needs.
Key Figures & Named Entities
Wednesday:The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday defended her decision to publicly distribute millions of naira in cash to constituents during an empowerment programme in Kogi constituency, saying the intervention was informed by beneficiaries’ preference for direct financial assistance over business equipment.₦5:There are also those who will get ₦5m through transfer.” The Senator noted that entrepreneurs have different operational realities, making direct cash assistance a practical option for addressing challenges ranging from business expansion and stock replenishment to the acquisition of essential production materials.2026:The cash empowerment programme, held as part of activities marking her third anniversary in office on November 2, 2026, covered small-scale entrepreneurs operating in agriculture, tailoring, content creation and manufacturing, among other sectors.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
✦“We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants.
✦The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, came under criticism on social media after images and videos of the cash distribution at an event marking her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly circulated online.
✦However, explaining her decision before the grant distribution began, Akpoti-Uduaghan said previous empowerment exercises showed that some beneficiaries preferred cash because of immediate business needs.
Key Facts:Wednesday: The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday defended her decision to publicly distribute millions of naira in cash to constituents during an empowerment programme in Kogi constituency, saying the intervention was informed by beneficiaries’ preference for direct financial assistance over business equipment.₦5: There are also those who will get ₦5m through transfer.” The Senator noted that entrepreneurs have different operational realities, making direct cash assistance a practical option for addressing challenges ranging from business expansion and stock replenishment to the acquisition of essential production materials.2026: The cash empowerment programme, held as part of activities marking her third anniversary in office on November 2, 2026, covered small-scale entrepreneurs operating in agriculture, tailoring, content creation and manufacturing, among other sectors.₦100,000: Beneficiaries reportedly received grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5m, depending on their business needs, with some receiving ₦2m, ₦3m and ₦4m, while others were given up to ₦5m through bank transfers.
Editorial Excerpt
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defends distributing cash to Kogi constituents, saying beneficiaries preferred direct financial aid over business equipment
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the latest development regarding Kogi State?
“We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants.
Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?
The primary parties identified in this coverage include Kogi State, Federal Capital Territory, National Assembly of Nigeria.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Wednesday defended her decision to publicly distribute millions of naira in cash to constituents during an empowerment programme in Kogi constituency, saying the intervention was informed by beneficiaries’ preference for direct financial assistance over business equipment.