An EU-funded Social Program aimed at improving the livelihood of the vulnerable groups known as the Support For Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Systems In Nigeria has been launched by the Abia State Government
Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti who performed the task at the Banquet Hall, government House Umuahia, also inaugurated the Abia state social Protection Council with the Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu as Chairman with members drawn from Frontline MDAS of Abia state, civil society groups, Religious bodies including the DG BCA Mr Francis Nwaubani.
Governor Otti commended the European Union for its commitment to the social and economic development of Abia and Nigeria at large and expressed the hope that the recently inaugurated social protection Council will further broaden the scope and reach of the state’s efforts to Carter for vulnerable groups across communities in the state.
The Governor who titled his speech, “Victory Through Partnership”, described the event as very significant as it sends a clear message to the world that Abia is seriously committed to partnering multinational development institutions to achieve the aspirations that protect and restore the dignity of the human person.
He noted that the EU’s interventions in health, education, environment, energy and large -scale support for vulnerable people have improved the socio-economic experience of individuals and families and appreciated the EU Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Gautier Mignot for the choice of Abia as one of the pilot states for the project.
Governor Otti lauded the UNICEF and International Labor Organization partnership with the state government towards the successful delivery of the project.
Addressing the gathering, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Ambassador Gautier Mignot, said the project which is in partnership with International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNICEF in Nigeria will span for over three years, adding that the 13- million euros funded project, being implemented by UNICEF and ILO in four states of the federation including Abia is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system, expand coverage for the most vulnerable, and ensure no one is left behind.
He pointed out that Investment in social protection complements the EU’s shared goals in education, health, gender equality, and economic development, noting that when a family has access to safety nets,it reduces Inequality and poverty level.
In his speech, the UNICEF Chief of Field Services, Judith Leveillee, expressed joy for being a partner in the implementation of the Social Protection System Strengthening Project with her sister agency, the International Labor Organization and restated their commitment to the full implementation of the program in the state.
In her presentation,the Country Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO)office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, said that the project speaks to the vision of Governor Otti in the new roadmap of the new Abia andto the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,adding that the organization will partner the UNICEF to implementing and providing social safety nets so as to catch the most vulnerable in the society.
In her remarks earlier, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and social protection Mrs Blessing Felix said that the 36-months programme is designed to deliver 4 key results, including the expansion and updating of the state social register to ensure that the integrates more poor and vulnerable households into the register.
The event featured the handover of IT equipment to the Governor by the EU Ambassador to aid in updating the state’s social register.
