By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government and relevant stakeholders in human rights protection have expressed commitment towards tackling poverty and ensuring social protection amongst the vulnerable for sustainable development.

Dr Yusuf Sununu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, made this commitment at a Dialogue on Social Protections in Nigeria, code named `Act Naija Civil Society Action project’, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Act Naija Project was designed to enhance dialogue and collaboration between civil society organisations and the government on inclusive social protection policies, monitoring and accountability.

The dialogue was organised and co-funded by European Union, under the Human Rights and Support to Civil Society in Nigeria Programme.

The theme of the programme was “Civil Society Organisations Build-Up to National Summit on Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria.’’

The minister, who was represented by Mr Valentine Ezulu, Director, Social Development, said that the ministry is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to address poverty for sustainability.

Sununu said that the collaboration was crucial for developing and implementing effective, long-term solutions to poverty and humanitarian challenges in the country.

“As you are aware, our ministry’s mandate covers a wide-range of responsibilities in the social protection, humanitarian and poverty reduction space.

“As the lead agency of government, overseeing social protection in Nigeria, the ministry is committed and ready to strengthening the systems that address poverty, vulnerability and the material assets in a holistic and sustainable manner.

“We are pleased to be working closely with the Act Naija Project, which has acknowledged the ministry’s strategic role in the prevention of poverty.

“Accordingly, it is very nice to note that the ministry is driving the social protection in the entire federation with effective initiatives and programmes,’’ he said.

The minister, however, called on relevant stakeholders both national and international to continue to work with the government to ensure that the ministry achieves its mandates effectively.

Also, Minister for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, said that his ministry was ready to partner with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that social protection intervention improved in the country.

Olawande, who was represented by Mrs Leah Akinfiresoye, Special Assistant on Social Security to the minister, said that the ministry has contributed significantly to social protection for youth through various initiatives.

“These include promoting youth entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance, implementing job creation programmes, among others,’’ he said.

Speaking, Dr Fanen Ade, Social Protection Specialist, World Bank, said that the World Bank would promote partnerships, knowledge sharing and evidence-based dialogue to enhance the effectiveness of the programmes to reduce poverty.

Ade appreciated the organisers of the programme, urging the participants to actively participate in all the activities, to ensure they achieve positive results.

The European Union Delegation Programme Manager, Civil Society, Youth and Human Rights, Mrs Wynyfred Achu-Egbusorn, said the essence of the project was to ensure that Federal Government policies on social protection made positive impact to Nigerians.

“The project is expected to lead to robust policy development and improved implementation and monitoring of social protection interventions at sub-national levels.

“It is also made to ultimately build a more equitable social protection environment where policies and programmes are better designed and delivered.

“Thereby, contributing directly to the alleviation of poverty and improvement of living conditions for the marginalised populations in Nigeria,’’ she said.

The Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEE), for the consortium, Mr David Ugolor, said that the dialogue was important as social protection that plays a critical role in reducing poverty.

Ugolor said that the social protection as well helps in managing inequality and reduces challenges being faced by the vulnerable populations.

“We are happy that we are able to bring stakeholders together to kick-start the conversation that will feed into the Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction.

“We are grateful to the European Union for supporting this process,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu