"You’re asking a poor woman what she will do with 500 Naira?" — Throwback to the moment Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s 500 Naira "Baby Bonus" went viral!

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Okezie Ikpeazu in Interview 
Source: Biafra Airline News
et Channels TV 

Do you guys remember this "Golden Moment" in Nigerian political history? Back in 2021, during an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily, the former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, revealed his administration's unique incentive for mothers using state health facilities.

​Conversation below:

​Interviewer: Your Excellency, let me quickly clarify this. You say that when pregnant women give birth in your facilities, they get 500 Naira. Is that correct?

Okezie Ikpeazu: 500 Naira, yes. Yes, at the back-pack.

​Interviewer: What is the 500 Naira for, sir?

Okezie Ikpeazu: Free delivery. They give you 500 Naira to—it could be for anything. You're asking a poor woman what she will do with 500 Naira? Some people don't have it.

​At the time, the comment sparked a massive debate across Nigeria. While the Governor defended it as a helpful gesture for those in extreme poverty, many critics felt the amount was "insulting" given the high cost of newborn care.

​What do you guys think? Looking back now, was this a genuine "poor-friendly" policy, or was the Governor completely out of touch with the reality of the market?

​Oya, let’s settle this in the comments!