OYO Collaborates with UNICEF to End Poverty Through Cash Transfer
Statistician-Gen; Mr. Teslim Adejuwon; SSA on Budget,Mr. Ogunsanya; SA on Budget to the Gov, on UNICEF Rep. Mrs. Hope Oduma; Comm for Budget and Economic planning, Prof. Musbau Babatunde; SA Legal, Ms. Ologuro
The Oyo State Government and UNICEF agreed to fight poverty by giving cash transfers to the most defenseless and underprivileged segments of society on Thursday.
According to Prof. Musbau Adetunji Babatunde, Commissioner for Economic and Budget Planning, the Social Protection Policy idea will lessen extreme poverty and encourage sustainable economic growth in Oyo State.
He claims that the Oyo State Social Protection Policy must be authorized since social protection is so important for combating poverty and helping the weak.
Babatunde made this declaration following a two-day Oyo State Social Protection Policy Validation event held in Ibadan by the Oyo State Ministry of Economic and Budget Planning in collaboration with UNICEF.
Fighting poverty and enhancing the quality of life for Oyo State residents, according to Prof. Musbau Adetunji Babatunde, is one of the guiding principles of Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
According to the Commissioner, “social protection is a collection of interventions to reduce social and economic risk and vulnerability, and alleviating extreme poverty and deprivation, hence the formulation of the draft policy to make life meaningful for the vulnerable among the population.”
“This program is designed to eliminate poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labor markets, diminishing people‘s exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to manage economic and social risks such as unemployment, exclusion, sickness, child rights, people living with disability and old age.”
He stressed further that, “Social Protection Policy programs will alleviate extreme poverty and enhance sustainable economic growth, through cash transfer for the vulnerable and the extremely poor, home grew school feeding program, job creation & youth empowerment, financial inclusion & other empowerment interventions programs and projects.”
He urged committee members to embody the spirit of inter-agency cooperation necessary in addressing issues related to poverty and vulnerability in the State on behalf of the Oyo State Government.
Reacting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic and Budget Planning, Tpl. Ademola Ajibola said the current administration in Oyo State should be praised for working with development agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and other illustrious private organizations to improve the quality of life for the populace.
He expressed gratitude to UNICEF for helping the State and assured them that they would continue to do so to ensure the policy’s effective and efficient implementation in the State. He was represented by Mr. Ademola Adediran.
Meanwhile, a representative of UNICEF in Oyo State, Mrs. Hope Oduma commended Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration for its willingness and commitment to ensure the realization of the social protection policy.
She added that UNICEF is proud to collaborate with the Oyo State government, in realizing the goals of solving poverty and vulnerability issues.
The event was witnessed by top government functionaries including, the Oyo State Statistician-General, Mr. Teslim Adejuwon; SSA on Budget, Kehinde Ogunsaya; SA Legal to the Governor, Ms. Ifedolapo Ologuro among others.
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