{
  "id": 18095041,
  "title": "Natasha defends cash distribution to Kogi constituents",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/natasha-defends-cash-distribution-to-kogi-constituents-18095041",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T08:58:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/natasha-defends-cash-distribution-to-kogi-constituents/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defended her decision to distribute cash directly to constituents in Kogi during an empowerment programme. She explained that beneficiaries preferred the cash over business equipment, as it addressed their immediate needs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, defended the cash handouts in a statement to The PUNCH. The Senator noted that while she had previously given out sewing machines, many recipients sold them to boost their businesses or pay rent. Therefore, she opted to give cash grants, ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5m, depending on the business needs of the recipients. Some entrepreneurs received up to ₦5m through bank transfers.",
  "summary": "Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defends distributing cash to Kogi constituents, saying beneficiaries preferred direct financial aid over business equipment Read More: https://punchng.com/natasha-defends-cash-distribution-to-kogi-constituents/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Rufai, Abati disagree over Natasha's bundle of cash in Kogi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/rufai-abati-disagree-over-natashas-bundle-of-cash-in-kogi",
        "published": "2026-11-04T10:45:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}