EKSG, UNICEF Partner on Social Protection Policy Development …as Members of EKHA, Stakeholders, sue for impactful policy for Ekiti State

 Ekiti State Government, through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (MBEP) in conjunction with UNICEF Nigeria (Akure Office), organized a one-day sensitization workshop for members of Ekiti House of Assembly in a bid to dialogue on the drafted Social Protection Policy for the state.

While speaking at the event, which was declared open by the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, the Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olufemi Ajayi said Ekiti State has made significant milestones in the provision of Social Protection programmes across the sectors.

Special Adviser on Social Investment, Barrister Victor Kolade said that the Social Protection Policy formulated to cater for the young, old and vulnerable, adding that Ekiti State is in a new era where issues concerning social welfare and protection of the people are paramount to the government. He implored members of the 6th House of Assembly of Ekiti to ensure diligent legislation on Social Investment policies.

 During the discussion sessions, top government functionaries including; Honourable Commissioner for Information, Tourism & Values Orientation, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua charged members of EKHA to ensure that all laws recently signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi are duly implemented and regularly monitored for evaluation.

Speaking further on the objectives of the Policy, The Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning continued that, “Key among these is that we have fully embraced a more coordinated approach in the implementation of social protection intervention. We are fully committed to scaling up investment in Social Protection to realize the delivery of Nigeria Vision 2030 and the achievement of the SDGs,” he said.

He noted that the activities on Social Protections commenced in Ekiti State, in the year 2017 with the establishment of Ekiti State Technical Working Group (TWG) on Social Protection with the Secretariat at the Multilateral Relation Department of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning was the Chairman of the Committee.

 “The TWG members cut across MDAs with Social Protection activities with the following objectives: (i) To act as a forum for coordination and collaboration among relevant government ministries, departments, agencies  and development partners as well as civil society and other social protection stakeholders on development and implementation of state social protection policies and  programmes; (ii)To the extent possible, harmonize and align state and development partners and civil society social protection interventions with each other and in line with the National Social Protection Policy at Federal level. (iii) To act as a forum for coordinated capacity building, learning and sharing information and good practices on social protection in Nigeria and beyond especially in African and developing country contexts,” he said.

Honourable Olufemi Ajayi mentioned that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF and other stakeholders have been partnering on how to develop a policy document that will guide the implementation of Social protection activities across the State with the carried out of relevant activities.

He concluded that the Government will also continue to ensure that social protection systems are entrenched in the State development plans.

In her presentation titled; ‘Roundtable Discussion with Members of Ekiti State House of Assembly on Social Protection Bill’, Mrs. Foluke Ojelabi of UNICEF Akure Office, said that the drafted bill will further position the state for socio-economic development.

She further highlighted the role of UNICEF on special intervention programs such as the Social Protection Policy, saying that the UN Agency is set to support the state government on all fronts of Social Investment.

While also making his presentation, the Permanent Secretary, MBEP, Mr. J. B. Folorunso, represented by the Director, MLRs (MBEP) Ogunlade B. G. (Mrs.), discussed the ‘Draft Ekiti State Social Protection Policy’.  She said that the overall goal of the policy is to establish a gender-sensitive and age-appropriate framework to ensure a minimum social protection floor for all Ekiti people for a life of dignity.

While highlighting the vision, goals, and objectives of the Policy, Mr. Folorunso said that the vision is to make Ekiti one of the 10 best States in Human Capital Development index in Nigeria by 2030.

“The Goals are; to reduce the poverty rate in Ekiti State by 30 percent by 2024, to reduce the unemployment rate by 50 percent by 2029 and to increase human development index of Ekiti State by 20 percent by 2025.

“To achieve this goal, the specific objectives of the Policy are to: reduce poverty among the people most vulnerable to extreme poverty and economic shocks; enhance human capital development; provide guiding principles for managing social protection programmes in Ekiti and promote synergy and coordination among the agencies; promote social cohesion, equity and growth inclusiveness; and ensure decent employment and sustainable livelihood to ensure a life of dignity,” he said.

He mentioned that the guiding principles to implementing Policy include; the principle of Universal Basic Needs which states that all humans have universal prerequisites for successful and critical participation in social life and that human needs are the universal preconditions for participation in social life. The government, therefore, affirms the right of every Ekiti to the satisfaction of their basic needs, especially in the areas of education, health, food security, and employment; the principle of Citizenship which stipulates that the purpose of the state is for the good of the citizens. All citizens in Ekiti, without distinction of status or class or gender, should be offered some minimum standard of living in relation to an agreed range of services; the principle of Social Inclusiveness focuses on the increasing provision be made for economic, social, political and cultural opportunities for citizens’ participation in the normal activities of their society without stigma or discrimination. The government shall take necessary measures to widen access and increase participation, among others.
He ended that the EKSPP shall be reviewed every 3 years to ensure it is responsive to emerging issues and challenges, and to address fundamental challenges identified in the M&E process. The policy review shall be facilitated by the Ekiti State Council on Social Protection. All key stakeholders shall be involved in the review to ensure that their views, perspectives, and concerns are collected and considered in the process.

Steps taken so far on the formulation of Social Protection Policy include; Relevant MDAs handling Social Protection Programmes in the State were identified by the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Existing Social Protection Intervention/Programmes in the State among the identified MDAs reviewed by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Constitution and Inauguration of  the State Technical Working Group and step down training on the role of Social Protection (TWG) members in each MDAs completed by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Development of Terms of Reference for Ekiti State Social Protection Technical Working Group (Draft) Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Compendium of Social Protection Initiatives in Ekiti State by Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Drafts include; Compilation of Child-Focused Budget & Expenditure by Interventions in Ekiti State from 2010 – 2018 by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

A day training workshop for the members of Ekiti State TWG to develop a draft Social Protection Policy for Ekiti State by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Six-day meeting of Social Protection Bill Drafting Team by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Sensitization meeting with community leaders/trade union by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Engagement meeting with peer groups/beneficiaries by UNICEF and Ekiti State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.