Abia Launches €13m Social Protection Programme

The Abia State Government has launched the €13m European Union fund Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System initiative, aimed at enhancing the state’s capacity to build on the gains made in social protection over the past 28 months.

Governor Alex Otti, inaugurated the Abia State Social Protection Council at the Government House in Umuahia on Wednesday evening, expressing gratitude to the European Union for its committed support to the state’s social and economic development.

“I am particularly glad that the programme is designed to function in ways that expand our reach by bringing more people into the social safety net,” Governor Otti stated.

“The State, I am happy to announce, is prepared to offer every required support to make this program successful,” he added.

The Governor emphasized that the institutional approach to problem-solving explains why his Government set up well-structured platforms like the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, and Abia State Senior Citizen Centre to drive social protection programs.

The target, according to Governor Otti, is to build a State where the basic welfare of every individual is catered for, no matter their life circumstances.

“We do not treat poverty and social deprivation as an isolated challenge,” he added.

The Governor noted that the EU’s interventions in health, education, environment, energy, and large-scale support for vulnerable people have greatly improved the social and economic experience of tens of thousands of individuals and families.

The European Union Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, said that the project is an EU-funded project with partners including ILO and UNICEF, and has 2024 to 2027 as its implementation period in Nigeria. “It’s a 13 million Euros funded project, implemented by UNICEF and ILO in four states, including Abia State, and, of course, with the Federal Government,” he stated.

Ambassador Mignot explained that the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system, expanding coverage for the most vulnerable and ensuring that no one is left behind.

“This project is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system, expanding coverage for the most vulnerable, and ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.

He added that the investment in social protection complements the EU’s shared goals in education, health, gender equality, and economic development.

The Ambassador commended Governor Otti for the support his Government has given, which has resulted in the progress made so far.

“Let me commend the Executive Governor of Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, for his commitment to the growth and development of the State, and I also want to appreciate UNICEF and ILO for the wonderful collaboration that we are having, and together we are contributing to building a stronger and resilient Abia State and Nigeria in general,” Ambassador Mignot stated.

The Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, said that the project speaks to the vision of Governor Otti in the new roadmap of the New Abia and to the President Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The organization will partner with UNICEF to implement and provide social safety nets to catch the most vulnerable in society,” she added.

The launch was witnessed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, several Commissioners, and other senior Government appointees.

THE WHITSLER also reports that The EU team also handed over ICT equipment to the State Government that will be used to integrate poor and vulnerable households into the National social register.