Nigeria, UNICEF collaborate to address poverty issues

By: Our Reporter

The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners, emphasized the critical need for a strengthened social protection system to address the pressing issues of poverty. 

This was one of the one of the key issues discussed at the 3rd edition of the Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit yesterday in Abuja. 

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, faces significant challenges in human capital development and deprivations in health, education, nutrition, water, hygiene, sanitation, and child protection. This situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive and effective social protection strategies. 

In response to these challenges, the Government of Nigeria introduced a cash transfer program, providing 25,000 Naira over a three-month period to poor and vulnerable households. This initiative aims to alleviate immediate economic pressures and mitigate the socio-economic impact of recent economic reforms.

“Our goal is to create a comprehensive support network that addresses the multifaceted needs of children and families, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in health, education, and overall well-being. We must work together to bridge gaps and strengthen coordination,” said Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, emphasizing the importance of integrated social protection systems. 

Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, stated on behalf of the Social Protection Development Partners Group, “Social protection is crucial in realizing the rights of every child. Child-sensitive social protection is key to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential. We commend the government for its significant strides in the development of several programs and a single registry. However, there is a need to ensure stronger linkages between social protection and essential social services with a focus on health, education, and nutrition.”

A statement from UNICEF said that despite advancements, social protection coverage remains low, with only 7 percent of children covered. Coordination mechanisms are weak, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency. 

Therefore, the summit aims to generate actionable insights and foster collaboration among key players to enhance coverage, coordination, and financing of social protection interventions. 

In specific, the objectives of the summit include: 

Raise Awareness: Highlight how social protection can mitigate poverty, enhance economic stability, and promote inclusive growth through social assistance (cash transfers), social security (health insurance), and labor market regulation. 

Improve Delivery and Coordination: Propose measures to improve delivery and coordination mechanisms for effective coverage and impact of social protection programs. 

Commitment to Financing: Elicit commitments from government bodies, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders on financing social protection initiatives through innovative financing mechanisms.

The Government of Nigeria, UNICEF, and partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing social protection aligned with essential services for comprehensive support. A communiqué was signed to introduce the Universal Child Benefit and increase public spending on social protection by 2 percent, aiming to reduce multidimensional poverty and promote equitable development. 

Nigeria, UNICEF collaborate to address poverty issues

VP Shettima Asks Council, MDAs To Align With President Tinubu’s 8-point Agenda

• Seeks business environment that fosters innovation, creativity, productivity

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said a business environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and productivity must be built on the pillars of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.

He implored members of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to be driven by the dreams of all Nigerians aspiring to grow their businesses and looking up to the government for direction towards a future of prosperity.

Senator Shettima gave the charge during the PEBEC Townhall Meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting followed the successful completion of the 90-day Regulatory Reform Accelerator Action Plan.

The VP noted that no matter the depth of the reforms introduced, government will fail to achieve its goals unless MDAs function at their best and align seamlessly with the agenda of the Tinubu administration.

He described the PEBEC townhall meeting as a rescue mission for a country that has saddled its citizens with “the critical role of creating an environment where every idea can germinate into an enduring business.”

“Our success is not merely a matter of policy but is measured by its impact, from the small-time trader in Kafanchan to the large corporation on Lagos Island. Today, I feel the pulse of our collective desire to make this objective a reality,” the VP added.

He urged all stakeholders, especially the MDAs, to build on the gains of the past 120 days with a sense of urgency and purpose, as they reflect on the measurable outcomes of the Regulatory Reform Accelerator.

Imploring them to continue to improve Nigeria’s business environment through timely feedback, rigorous monitoring, and shared responsibility, the Vice President said, “We are the vehicles of the promises made by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

“The Regulatory Reform Accelerator is an avenue to inject life into our economy and renew the hope of our nation. The quality of your ideas and the intensity of your energy today are the very sparks we need to stay on track and to always remind ourselves of the burden of expectations upon us.

“We must align with the vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and ensure that our pursuit of a business environment that fosters innovation, creativity, and productivity is built upon the pillars of the 8-point agenda. Today, we stand on a robust foundation, recognizing that achieving PEBEC’s mandate directly contributes to our shared economic prosperity as a nation.”

VP Shettima announced that PEBEC’s public sector reforms have achieved a collective score of over 80% at the beginning of the 90-Day Regulatory Reform Accelerator, adding that “despite a slow start, the collective commitment and actions of every Minister, Head of Agency, Reform Champion, and BFA Committee Member have significantly increased reform implementation during the 30-Day extension.”

He described PEBEC as an enabler for the MDAs in government whose role requires a unified and collaborative effort across the council and MDAs, and we cannot afford to look away.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the long-term success of PEBEC hinges on our ability to institutionalize reform capabilities, foster deep collaboration across government, and maintain a commitment to continuous improvements.

“These reforms must become ingrained in the fabric of our public institutions. By doing so, we pave the way for sustained progress and lasting impact that will outlive us all, creating a better Nigeria for our children and their children afterward,” the Vice President further noted.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, said key aspects of the PEBEC initiatives such as the New PEBEC Business Champions, 90-Day Regulatory Reform Accelerator (RRA), and legislative & judicial reforms are being deployed and implemented across MDAs.

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the townhall will contribute significantly to the overall efforts aimed at improving the business environment in the country.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the President PEBEC and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, while responding to questions posed by some participants in the townhall meeting, assured that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring steady improvements in the country’s business environment.

She attributed the progress made so far in the reform process largely to the personal commitment, unwavering support and overall leadership of Vice President Shettima, even as she identified his approval for a 30-day extension of Regulatory Reform Accelerator as a milestone in the reform efforts.

Dr Oduwole underscored the significance of the townhall in the overall reform process, noting that the feedback would be key to strengthening and making the different initiatives and programmes undertaken by PEBEC more effective.

Present at the event were Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijanni, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari/

Others are Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Chairman, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd); representative of the SGF, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Mr Richard Pheelangwah; other permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies.

VP Shettima Asks Council, MDAs To Align With President Tinubu’s 8-point Agenda

Stakeholders hint Borno’s Elkanemi Warriors to Lift Federation Cup

By: Our Reporter

Borno State football team, Elkanemi Warriors, has been charged to lift the 2024 federation cup which the final match was fixed for 29th June, 2024, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena (Onikan), Lagos.

The NNL football competition tagged the “Battle of the Warriors’’ would be played between the Elkanemi Warriors of Maiduguri and Abia Warriors.

Chairman of Nigeria National League (NNL), Mr. George Aluo, made the charge while encouraging the Elkanemi Warriors to go all out and win this year’s President Federation Cup.

Aluo noted that the impressive performance of Elkanemi Warriors in both the second tier league and the Federation Cup is an indication that they can lift the trophy for the third time, after lifting the same in 1991 and 1992.

Aluo maintained that the number of NNL teams that made it to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the FA Cup shows how solid the league is and the good work done by the league body and expressed confidence that the three other promoted teams will do well in the NPFL next season.

He also commended Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) and their strategic partners GTI Assets Management & Trust Limited for bringing back the glamour of the most prestigious football tournament in the country.

“As football fans eagerly await the finals of this year’s Federation Cup, I must commend the NFF and their strategic partners, GTI, for what they have done to bring back the glamour of the most prestigious football tournament in the country.

“History will always remember them as those who changed the narratives of Nigerian football and I will be ever grateful to them”, he concluded.

The winner of the President Federation Cup will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup along side Enyimba FC of Aba.

Stakeholders hint Borno’s Elkanemi Warriors to Lift Federation Cup