EU, UNICEF back Sokoto LGAs on social protection

It was reported that EU-SUSI Project was being implemented by United Nations Children and Education Fund, UNICEF.

Speaking while declaring open a two-day workshop on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Abubakar Zayyana, said the project aligned with the goal to ensure more people living in the state have increased access to social protection.

Zayyana commended the European Union and UNICEF for their support to the Sokoto State Government towards fully operationalizing social protection at both the state and local government levels.

He said the workshop would surely strengthen the capacity of the 23 Local Governments chairmen on institutionalizing social protection at the local government level.

Zayyana  further expressed Gov. Ahmad Aliyu’s, appreciation to the European Union and UNICEF for their ongoing programmes that focus toward enhancing the well-being of citizens especially women, children, and other poor and vulnerable groups.

The commissioner also assured the state and local governments of their commitment to sustain these programmes in line with the current government’s agenda for overall development.

‘’ I will like to let you know that social protection is very important and a lifecycle approach intervention that can significantly help prevent insecurity and the emergence of various forms of crime among the population.

” I have seen how it works perfectly in developed countries, particularly the United Kingdom where numerous programmes, including Universal Child Benefit allowances, unemployment allowances, and family allowances, are designed and implemented by the government.” Zayyana said.

The commissioner urged chairmen to prioritize social protection activities in their planning and budgeting processes to reduce poverty and vulnerability indicators.

“Reports shown by various surveys conducted by the National Bureau for Statistics, NBS, including the recent Multidimensional Poverty Index have indicated that Sokoto State was ranked as having a high rate of poverty among Nigeria’s 36 states,” he added.

The commissioner also commended Aliyu for approving a state-owned multidimensional poverty survey, which had been concluded and was awaiting the results to be released by the state Bureau of Statistics.

He pointed out that the findings would serve as foundational data for the state’s budget planning and implementation.

In his remarks, Alhaji Bashir Salihu, the Chairman of Tambuwal Local Government and Association for Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Chairman, described the social protection program as the best way to address the current social and economic challenges faced by the state and nation.

Salihu explained that challenges stemmed from the lack of income and limited access to basic services, expressing the commitment of the 23 LGAs to mainstream social protection in their priorities, starting with their plans and budgets for the next fiscal year.

He stated that the LGAs would form and inaugurate a technical working group on social protection in accordance with the state’s social protection policy, as well as appoint social protection desk officers across all 23 LGAs.

The UNICEF Sokoto Field Office Chief of Field, Mr. Michael Juma, stated that European Union and UNICEF were collaborating with the state and local governments to provide technical and financial support to transform the state’s social protection system into a shock-responsive one.

Juma said the project was being supported by a reinforced policy framework and an integrated financial mechanism within state and LGA budgets and planning efforts.

‘‘UNICEF’s mandate is to advocate and uphold the rights of all children by protecting them and support the government in creating and strengthening child-sensitive, inclusive, and sustainable social protection systems to combat child poverty.’’ Juma said.

NAN