Abuja: The Federal Government and key stakeholders in human rights protection have expressed a strong commitment to addressing poverty and ensuring social protection for vulnerable populations as a pathway to sustainable development. Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, made this pledge during a Dialogue on Social Protections in Nigeria, branded as the ‘Act Naija Civil Society Action Project,’ held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Act Naija Project aims to foster dialogue and collaboration between civil society organizations and the government to develop inclusive social protection policies, monitoring, and accountability. The event was organized and co-funded by the European Union under the Human Rights and Support to Civil Society in Nigeria Programme. The theme of the program was ‘Civil Society Organisations Build-Up to National Summit on Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria.’
The minister, represented by Mr. Valentine Ezulu, Director of Social Development, emphasized the ministry’s active collaboration with various stakeholders to address poverty sustainably. Sununu highlighted the importance of this collaboration for developing and implementing long-term solutions to poverty and humanitarian challenges in Nigeria. He noted the ministry’s wide-ranging mandate in social protection, humanitarian, and poverty reduction efforts, and its role as the lead government agency in this domain.
Sununu expressed satisfaction with the ministry’s partnership with the Act Naija Project, acknowledging its strategic role in poverty prevention. He called on both national and international stakeholders to continue working with the government to achieve the ministry’s mandates effectively.
In addition, the Minister for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, expressed his ministry’s readiness to partner with relevant stakeholders to enhance social protection interventions in the country. Represented by Mrs. Leah Akinfiresoye, Special Assistant on Social Security, Olawande highlighted initiatives promoting youth entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance, including job creation programs.
Dr. Fanen Ade, Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank, emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to promoting partnerships, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based dialogue to enhance program effectiveness in reducing poverty. Ade appreciated the program organizers and encouraged participants to engage actively in all activities for positive outcomes.
Mrs. Wynyfred Achu-Egbusorn, European Union Delegation Programme Manager for Civil Society, Youth, and Human Rights, highlighted the project’s aim to ensure that Federal Government policies on social protection positively impact Nigerians. She emphasized the project’s potential to lead to robust policy development and improved implementation and monitoring of social protection interventions at sub-national levels, ultimately creating a more equitable social protection environment.
Mr. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEE) for the consortium, underscored the dialogue’s significance, noting that social protection plays a critical role in reducing poverty, managing inequality, and alleviating challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Ugolor expressed satisfaction with bringing stakeholders together to initiate discussions that will inform the Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction efforts.
