By Samuel Sunday
Residents of Ago Aduloju community in Ado-Ekiti have been encouraged to take advantage of government social protection programmes as part of efforts to improve livelihoods and support vulnerable groups.
The call was made during a community outreach organized under the ACT Naija Project, themed “Civil Society Actions to Strengthen Social Protection in Nigeria” with the hashtag #SocialProtection4All. About 50 participants, including persons with disabilities, youths, and community leaders, attended the event.
The initiative, sponsored by the European Union in collaboration with the New Initiative for Social Development and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, focused on sensitizing residents to available government interventions.
Mrs. Ibrahim Ajoloa of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security urged farmers and residents to register in cooperative and cluster groups to improve their chances of benefiting from government support. She said registered groups stand a better chance of accessing assistance, adding that the government plans to allocate 50 acres of land to each local government to attract more youths into agriculture.
Mr. Dele Adebayo of the Renewed Hope Cash Transfer Programme said the scheme, launched in 2016, provides support to women and vulnerable groups through federal palliative measures. He disclosed that cash cards are distributed to beneficiaries and advised residents to register to access the programme.
In his presentation, Mr. Aloge Kayode of the Ministry of Budget emphasized the importance of the social register for vulnerable persons, noting that the programme receives support from the World Bank. He expressed concern over low participation in Ekiti State despite available empowerment and skills acquisition opportunities.
Kayode said some beneficiaries receive ₦25,000 in three phases under the intervention scheme and urged residents to complete registration to benefit from the programme.
The Legal Officer of the New Initiative for Social Development highlighted the role of the Ministry of Women Affairs in supporting women and widows and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. The officer also outlined available healthcare services, including medical support for pregnant women, free malaria treatment, and children’s immunization programmes.
Barrister Ruth Oluwaleke, who spoke on the implementation of the project, said it is being carried out by NISD and co-funded by the European Union across several states. She encouraged participants to share the information with others in their communities.
Some residents who attended the outreach described the programme as enlightening and beneficial, noting that it exposed them to opportunities in healthcare, agriculture, and empowerment.
