Act Naija Project, Women Affairs ministry Organises Workshop On Social Protection for the Vulnerable, Deprived, Poor Citizens in Kogi
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in partnership with Kogi state ministry of women Affairs and social development has organized a one day workshop to strengthened social protection for Kogi vulnerable, deprived, and poor citizens in the state.
The workshop took place at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja on Tuesday, with the theme, strengthening social protection in the prevention in Kogi state.
The project is being implemented by a consortium of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Bread for the World Germany, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) and Co funded by the European Union.
The Executive Director for ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, who was represented by the Assistant Programme Manager Mr. Innocent Edemhanria, emphasised on the urgent formulation of a social protection policy in kogi State for an effective social protection system.
According to the Executive Director, the project is to enhance inclusivity of Nigeria’s social protection system, foster stronger stakeholders and civil society engagement and collaboration with government, and development partners to build a more effective and inclusive system in Kogi state.
He noted that the project seeks to make social protection more inclusive and accessible to vulnerable groups across the the local government Areas of Kogi state
Speaking also, the Kogi state Coordinator of Act Naija Project, Halima Oyiza Sadiq, stressed that with stronger engagement and participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders in the development, implementation, and monitoring of social protection systems, it will build a more transparent and effective system.
The commissioner for women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Fatima Momoh thanked participants and stakeholders present at the occasion, saying the ministry has decided to partner with the Act Naija project in order to bring about social protection for inclusive and accessibility to vulnerable groups across the local government Areas of Kogi state.
One of the major stakeholders present at the occasion, the Deputy Speaker of Kogi state House of Assembly, Hon. Comfort Onwuchiola Egwaba said the project will contributes to strengthening the social protection system through evidence-based recommendations and strategic roadmap for policy and programme reforms.
She stated that Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration is very much concerned about social protection issues and recounted the governors effort to Identify and embarked on major social protection programmes in the state.
The Deputy Speaker however promised to pursue the bill for social protection in the Kogi state House of Assembly and ensure that it is passed into law.
The Executive Secretary of Kogi state Emergency management Agency, KOSEMA, Hon. Mouktar Atimah commended the organisers saying Act Naija project was aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable social protection systems across Nigeria, noting that it would addressed and reduced the high rate of poverty in the state.
He further said social protection system will go a long way to remedy the problems relating to vulnerabilities and poverty in Kogi state.
According to him, KOSEMA is very ready to partner with act Naija to integrate other stakeholders to achieve result saying that Social protection is a veritable tool for reducing poverty.
He noted that KOSEMA has contributed to the advancement of social protection throughout the flood period and promised to contribute to the success of the project in the state.
Among the stakeholders present at the workshop are commissioner for Humanitarian, Commissioner For Agriculture and leaders of civil society groups in the state.
