Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled a social protection policy to combat socio-economic vulnerabilities to poverty and deprivation at all levels.
Social protection policy is a framework that will provide direction, clarity and ensure consistency in the implementation of the programmes and initiatives by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Sanwo-Olu, at a public presentation of a policy handbook, said the recent global economic downturn and uncertainty orchestrated by COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging realities compelled his administration to provide the social protection policy.
The event was organised by the Lagos Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), held in Ikeja.
The governor said the critical role social protection played as a strategy for combating poverty and supporting the vulnerable, necessitated the approval of the framework by the Executive Council (Exco).
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Sam Egube, said one of the pledges he made while coming into office was to tackle poverty and ensure a life of dignity to the residents, captured in his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda.
He said: “The recent global economic downturn and uncertainty orchestrated by COVID-19 pandemic and other emerging realities have taught us that investments in social protection is necessary, feasible and effective in ensuring that people feel the impact of governance on a sustainable basis.
“Given the awareness of the critical role social protection plays as a strategy for combating poverty and supporting the vulnerable, the Exco approved the social protection policy.”
The Chief Social Policy, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Hamidou Poufon, hailed Sanwo-Olu’s willingness and commitment to ensure the realisation of the social protection policy in Lagos, as well as the government’s support.
He said UNICEF was proud to collaborate with the state government in realising the goals of solving poverty and vulnerability issues.