Ekiti State Government has expressed its total commitment to
domesticating the National Social Protection Policy that is supported
by law to assist stakeholders achieve a higher level of dignity for
Ekiti people.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Olufemi Ajayi
gave this assurance at the opening ceremony of a 3-day training
workshop for Social Protection Technical Working Group (SPTWG) to
draft the Ekiti State Social Protection Policy.
Hon Ajayi stated that the social protection programme is a key
component of the five pillars of the administration of Governor Kayode
Fayemi, especially in the areas of protection of the rights of women,
children, youths, people living with disabilities and the aged in the
society.
He stated that the administration of Governor Fayemi is working
wholeheartedly at ensuring that vulnerable senior citizens are
adequately catered for in a more coordinated and widely acceptable
way.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the determination of the government to
creating an enabling environment for various interventions from donor
agencies towards improving the wellbeing of the entire people of Ekiti
State.
The Commissioner who commended the United Nations International
Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for supporting the implementation of
the Social Protection Policy of the state, charged participants to
brainstorm and come up with an acceptable policy framework and
programmes that will be directed towards poverty reduction and
enhancement of livelihood of the people.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic
Planning, Mr. Babasola Folorunsho highlighted the objectives of the
training workshop to include developing a draft for Social Protection
Policy for Ekiti State aimed at achieving reduction in poverty among
the poor and people with vulnerability.
The Director, Multilateral Relations of the Ministry of Budget, Mrs.
Bukola Ogunlade highlighted the various social protection programmes
embarked upon by Dr. John Kayode Fayemi-led administration in the
areas of health, agriculture, women development, children and the
social security scheme for the vulnerable citizens.
Earlier in their goodwill messages, the Chief UNICEF Akure Field
Office, Dr. Laxmi Bhawani commended Ekiti State Governor for the
formulation of the policy that is geared towards eliminating poverty
in Ekiti State and promised the support of UNICEF Office in the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and
National Planning, Abuja, Earnest Umakhihe FCA, represented by the
Head of Social Protection and Human Capital Division, Mrs. Grace
Obi-Uppabi specified that all interventions of Government should be
geared towards ensuring that nobody lives an unworthy life.
She urged participants to draft a sustainable policy framework that
will not be for the poor alone but for the good of the entire society.
The UNICEF Social Policy Officer Mrs. Foluke Ojelabi took the
participants through a presentation on the reasons for social
protection and vulnerability analysis of Ekiti State.
Last modified: July 28, 2019
