By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA – 13 million euros European Union-funded Sustainable Social Safety System (EU-SUSI) undertaking, has been launched in Abia State.
The three-year undertaking is being applied by UNICEF, and the Worldwide Labour Organisation, ILO, in 4 Nigerian states together with Abia.
Talking in the course of the launch in Umuahia, the EU Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot mentioned the undertaking ” is geared toward strengthening Nigeria’s social safety system, increasing protection for essentially the most weak, and making certain that nobody is left behind”
In response to him, funding in social safety enhances EU’s shared targets in schooling, well being, gender equality, and financial growth.
The EU Ambassador counseled UNICEF and ILO for his or her collaboration within the implementation of the undertaking.
He additionally counseled the Abia State Authorities for its dedication in the direction of social safety.
In a goodwill message, UNICEF Consultant in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, mentioned the undertaking “is a promise that households and youngsters is not going to fall via the cracks”.
The message which was learn by the Chief of Subject Companies, UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Judith Leveillee, mentioned that social safety “isn’t just a security web, however a springboard that permits individuals to reside with dignity to develop, and to thrive”.
“It’s a promise that should attain all youngsters together with these in essentially the most distant village; the mom whose struggling to make ends meet for her youngsters; the aged individuals; and the individuals with incapacity. It’s additionally a promise for younger individuals whose future depends upon us”, she mentioned.
She counseled Governor Otti for displaying management; and for demonstrating dedication to the undertaking.
The UNICEF Consultant additional mentioned that “true dedication to not go away any baby behind is crucial for any state to realize sturdy and sustainable growth.”
Emphasizing the necessity for dependable knowledge in efficient social safety intervention in Nigeria, UNICEF promised to assist strengthen Nigeria’s social safety initiatives.
“For us, it’s about having the ability to contribute to strengthen programs that may withhold and face up to shocks and crises. The truth is that solely 14.8% of all Nigerians in the meanwhile profit from efficient social safety. It’s little or no.
“Behind this share, there are literally thousands of households, and youngsters who’re below pressure. However this will change, and the SUSI undertaking is there precisely for that.
“We need to construct stronger insurance policies. We need to have higher knowledge. We need to have smarter coordination, and higher collaboration.
“UNICEF desires one of the best for Nigerian youngsters – the place each baby is protected, each household is supported, and each neighborhood is empowered.
Promising continued technical assist, and commending EU and ILO for the partnership, UNICEF solicited the assist of all stakeholders for the success of the undertaking.
Talking on the occasion, Governor Alex Otti, counseled EU, UNICEF and ILO for the undertaking, which, he mentioned would convey large reduction to lots of households.
He famous that EU’s interventions in well being, schooling, atmosphere, vitality, and large-scale assist for weak individuals “have drastically improved the social and financial expertise of tens of hundreds of people and households.”
The Governor mentioned the initiative would drastically improve the state’s capability to construct on the good points that had been made on the social safety entrance since he got here on board.
“I’m significantly glad that the programme is designed to perform in ways in which increase our attain by bringing extra individuals into the social security web.”
Pledging full assist for the undertaking, Otti mentioned his administration had already arrange well-structured platforms just like the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Abia State Fee for the Welfare of Disabled Individuals, and Abia State Senior Citizen Centre, to drive our social safety programmes.
In a comment, the Nation Director of the Worldwide Labour Group (ILO) workplace for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, mentioned ILO would “companion UNICEF to implement and supply social security nets to catch essentially the most weak within the society.”
Spotlight of the nicely -attended occasion, was the formal inauguration of the Abia State Social Safety Council.
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