Edo Engages Stakeholders To End Poverty, Ramps Up Devt Of Social Protection Policy

The Edo State Government has intensified efforts at improving the livelihoods of citizens and stemming the tide of poverty, rallying relevant stakeholders to collaborate towards achieving set goals.

The government hosted stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, traditional, religious and community leaders, women and youth groups, as well as civil society organisations, among others, to commence the process of developing a social protection policy for Edo State.

The town hall, which was held in Benin City, was held in partnership with Save the Children Nigeria, Child Development Grant Programme (CDGP) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement, Secretary to the State Government, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the Government, Deborah Enakhimion, said the engagement was organised to draw up a blueprint on the social protection policy for Edo state.

She noted that the issue of social delivery is paramount to the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration as it will help improve the lives of citizens, particularly for women and children.

Also, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Iserhienrhien Efe, said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is doing so much to eradicate poverty in the state.

According to her, “the government is doing so much to free her citizens from the shackles of poverty, but most of these things are not being documented, with respect to social protection. This is why the Edo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Office of Social Investment Programme decided to partner with Save the Children and other stakeholders to commence the process of developing a social protection policy for Edo State.”

On her part, the focal person, Edo State Social Investment Programme, Ms Osayuwamen Aladeselu, said “the townhall is imperative as it will enable the government in developing a legal framework to support persons that are considered as poorest of the poor at a point in time.”

She further explained that the event is just to ensure that stakeholders contribute to the development of the document.