Writing By Shindong Bala, Editing By Godwin Duru
Kaduna State Government says it is committed to implementing a social protection system that eliminates social gaps and addresses poverty for people of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe stated this at the opening of a two-day strategic stakeholders orientation on social protection, organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Social Investment Programme in Kaduna.
She emphasized that uplifting the vulnerable out of their situation is not a favour, but a foundation for peace as it breaks the chains of poverty and weaken criminal tendencies in the society.
Dr. Hadiza Balarabe maintained that government has rolled out practical interventions through grants and supported thousands of women and youth entrepreneurs.
“Rural women have opened bank accounts for the first time in their lives, gaining not only access to capital but also confidence in their own worth. Through targeted empowerment, small and micro businesses have been strengthened to survive and succeed. Through timely provision of fertilizers, our smallholder farmers have been given the means to multiply their yields, sustain their households, and restore hope to their communities.”
UNICEF Chief of Social Protection Policy Nigeria, Dr. Hamidou Poufon emphasized the need for proper coordination amongst all stakeholders as a critical element of building a system devoid of duplication.
“With less, we can do more with coordination, like I said, the idea is to have it on a quarterly basis or every six months to have all the stakeholders meeting, discussing, planning, to share, listen, learn, to see how really we can improve planning, monitor, and evaluation, including financing. That’s a very important part of the coordination of the system.”
Dr. Hamidou Poufon commended Kaduna State Government for its commitment to social protection as a deliberate action to boosting human development in the state.
Earlier, representative of the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office Madam Christiana, said social protection can only be effective when ministries, state institutions, civil society, development partners, communities and the private sector adopt a collective approach especially by using the validated social register.
“The Social Register allow us to design interventions that are not only impactful, but also inclusive and sustainable. This collaboration finds expression in the National Social Register. The register is a product of communities validated by states and supported by partners.
Cov/Shindong Bala
