The National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja in collaboration with Ekiti State Government through the State Cash Transfer Unit has embarked on a high-level stakeholders’ engagement meeting aimed at creating awareness and sensitizing stakeholders on the operations and implementation of the National Social Safety Nets Programme Scale-Up (NASSP-SU).
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary, State Social Investment Coordinating Agency (SSICA) who is the Acting Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Investment Programme, Mr. Ogundele Oludare, stated that both the Federal and Ekiti State Governments are working tirelessly to drastically reduce poverty in the state and improve the standard of living for the populace.
He commended the Biodun Abayomi led administration for embarking on poverty alleviation programmes in line with his shared prosperity mantra.
In her welcome address, the Ekiti State Cash Transfer Unit Programme Manager, Mrs. Cecilia Oluwatoyin Olomo, explained that the meeting was a follow-up to the recent National Stakeholders’ Engagement held in Abuja by the National Cash Transfer Office. She noted that the forum would enable participants to build and sustain productive relationships essential for the effective implementation of the programme.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Olusola Akinluyi, reiterated that the Governor of Ekiti State is deeply committed to tackling poverty, in line with his administration’s focus on Human Capital Development. He disclosed that the Governor has approved the expansion of the State Social Register to accommodate more beneficiaries.
Representative of the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye, stressed the importance of traditional leaders’ full involvement in the programme. He also urged the government to further invest in livelihood support to build their resilience against shocks, ensuring that beneficiaries can make effective use of the ₦25,000 monthly stipends earmarked for 15 million vulnerable Nigerians.
Participants at the meeting, including religious leaders such as Alhaji Ali Abdulrasak (representing the President, League of Imams and Alfas) and Evangelist David Fabusuyi (Ekiti CAN Secretary), commended the initiative. They called for active participation of religious institutions to ensure the programme reaches the most vulnerable members of society.
Resource Persons including SCTU Head of Operations Mr Olatunji Oladele and the State Coordinator of State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Mr Abiodun Ariyo sensitized participants on processes and procedures of the National and State Social Registers, the Rapid Response Register and overview of the NASSP-SU, among others.
The NASSP-SU was launched by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on October 17, 2023, in commemoration of the World Poverty Day. The initiative aims to provide ₦25,000 monthly stipends for three months to 15 million Nigerians as part of efforts to cushion the effects of ongoing economic reforms in the country.