The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Social Investment Programmes (SIP), Hon. Yemisi Ayokunle has stressed the commitment of the Oyebanji Administration to Programmes and policies that will further alleviate poverty and reduce economic inequality in the State.
Hon Ayokunle who made the assertion in Ado-Ekiti while featuring on Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today, a live audience participation programme on Radio, said the present administration in the State was using a multi-pronged approach to improve the economic well-being of low-income families and vulnerable groups in the State
According to her, the
State Conditional Cash Transfer and National Homegrown School Feeding Programme being supervised by her agency have continued to make significant impact on the lives of people in the state.
Ayokunle said while the National Conditional Cash Transfer Unit (NCCTU) Programme has continued to provide succor for over 10,000 vulnerable people including the aged, extremely poor families and People With Disabilities, over 10,000 business owners have also been empowered with grants ranging between N120,000, N160,000 and N200,000 under the Livelihood Cash Transfer programme
She noted that the programme which is devoid of politics have beneficiaries drawn from the State Social Register collated about 10 years ago.
While stressing that the present administration would continue to promote access to financial services and increase the rate of financial inclusion with social protection among the citizens of Ekiti State, the Special Adviser said her agency would also continue to collaborate with
Federal Government and development partners on the actualization of Social Investment progammes in the State.
The Special Adviser noted that apart from keying into the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme the State Government had domesticated the programme into the “Ekiti Meals Programme” under which all Primary 1-3 pupils in public schools are served food in school.
According to her, the school feeding programme has brought about the expected multiplier effect in the State as it has not only improved child nutrition and health but has also significantly boosted school enrollment and completion rates as well as the local economy of the people by creating jobs for local cooks and local farmers whose products are consumed under the Programme.
While commending Governor Oyebanji for regularly paying the required counterpart funds to its partners and giving her agency the enabling environment to thrive, Ayokunle appealed to the people of the state to ensure that they play active part when the State Social Register is being updated in the no distant future.
Last modified: November 1, 2024
