… As Stakeholders Call For Strengthened Partnerships
The Lagos State Government and Social Protection stakeholders have called for strengthened partnerships to ensure that various social interventions of the Lagos State Government are harnessed by vulnerable groups who need them.
They echoed this at the Social Protection Stakeholders’ Sensitization and Advocacy Tour flag-off, tagged: “IBILE SP Campaign”, organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget’s Social Protection Coordinating Department in collaboration with the Socio-Functional MDAs and UNICEF which kicked off today the premises of Ojodu LCDA under the Ikeja Division.
Delivering his opening remarks at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to uplift the most vulnerable and marginalised among us through the lens of Coordinated Social Protection Measures (SPMs) and effective targeting process for delivery of these measures”.
George, whose speech was read by his Wealth Creation and Employment counterpart, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, reiterated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has continually demonstrated its commitment to uplifting the underserved. Hence, it prioritises the achievement of a Human Centric City in the Lagos State Development Plan 2052.
The Commissioner further emphasised that no single entity can achieve the goals of Social Protection in isolation as it requires a coordinated approach from all stakeholders – government, civil societies and development partners.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, I thank Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his vision of a 21st Century Lagos State and his passion for Human Capital Development and Accounting Officers of Social Functional MDAs for their support. I also thank UNICEF for their consistent support. This is a testament to our Shared Partnership.
Together, we will make a lasting impact in the lives of our people and build a future where every citizen can thrive and achieve inclusive economic growth”, he stated.
Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Cecilia Bolaji Dada highlighted some of the Social interventions the Ministry has delivered to the people, adding that WAPA has empowered artisans by sourcing names from the State Single Social Register from MEPB to train Women and Youths in life-sustaining skills.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Bolaji Ogunlende noted that the Ministry continues to deliver youth-centred programmes to ensure that Lagos youths are self-reliant and would do more going forward.
Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe revealed that the Ministry recently empowered youths through the Graduate Internship Placement Programme (GIPP) with several other initiatives in the pipeline.
Earlier, while giving an overview of the PLUS inclusion in the THEMES Plus Agenda and the concept of Social Protection, the Director of Social Protection Coordinating Department, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Oluwakemi Gabadeen Adedeji noted that the Lagos State Government is deeply passionate about the welfare of citizens, particularly vulnerable households in the state.
She explained that the Social Protection Policy was approved by the Lagos State Executive Council to coordinate all social interventions in Lagos State to serve residents better and specifically help vulnerable groups stand on their feet.
Adedeji added that through periodic assessment, the Lagos State Single Social Register would be updated, saying “Transparency is key in implementing these social interventions and we will ensure this is achieved”.
Dignitaries at the IBILE SP Flag-off also included Chairman Ojodu LCDA, Hon. David Odumbaku, represented by his Vice Chairman, Hon. Bunmi Oluyadi; Permanent Secretary, WAPA, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board/Health District IV and General Manager, LASSRA, Mrs. Adebiyi Bilkiss Abiola among others.
Also in attendance were representatives from Social Functioning MDAs including the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Lagos State Scholarship Board as well as Community leaders, market men and women, CDC and CDA members.
The IBILE SP Awareness Campaign tour train moves to the Badagry division tomorrow.
