The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has renewed its commitment to working with sub-national governments to improve investment in social protection programs aimed at reducing poverty and improving the lives of vulnerable citizens.

This was disclosed by the UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, during the official launch of the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System (SUSI) Project held on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State. The SUSI project is jointly implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and funded by the European Union (EU).

Lafoucriere explained that the goal of the project is to transform the lives of the most vulnerable members of society by providing access to quality healthcare, education, and other essential social services. She noted that the SUSI project is designed to support the government in accelerating and expanding social protection coverage across the state.

She commended the Oyo State government for the steps taken so far, including the creation of a Social Protection Policy that provides a structured framework for implementing social protection initiatives.

According to her, these efforts have also led to the establishment of a Social Protection Coordination Department, the drafting of a social protection bill awaiting legislative approval, and the execution of several ongoing programs targeting vulnerable groups.

However, Lafoucriere highlighted that significant challenges remain in the state. These challenges, she said, are strategic, operational, and technical in nature, and they have limited the reach of social protection to those who need it most, especially children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

“In the current context, around 48.7 per cent of the entire population and 72.7 per cent of children between ages 0-17 remain multi-dimensionally poor, with only 11 per cent captured in the social registry of the poor and vulnerable,” she said. “With approximately two per cent of the Oyo State population receiving any form of social assistance, the urgency for improved investment in social protection is now.”

Lafoucriere emphasized that the project is not just focused on building systems and structures but also on enhancing Oyo State’s ability to respond to economic and social shocks. She stressed the need to reinforce policy frameworks and integrate financial mechanisms into state budgets in a way that ensures sustainability and scalability.

“We have confidence in what we can achieve together. UNICEF will continue to support Oyo State in building a social protection system that works for everyone,” she added.

Speaking at the event, UNICEF Programme and Social Policy Manager, Muhammad Okorie, disclosed that UNICEF, in collaboration with government agencies in the state, has identified and documented poor and vulnerable households.

This process, he explained, has made these households traceable and included in the state’s social register, enabling their details to be updated with national identity numbers and bank account information.

“We need to increase the number of households on the state social register. By the end of 2026, we expect that an additional 250,000 households will have been included,” Okorie said. “The essence of this is to make it easy to identify where vulnerable people are and target them with their needs. We are also looking at making sure that this register is interoperable, where MDAs, government, and partners are able to access it to reach those who need the services.”

Oyo State Acting Governor, Adebayo Lawal, officially launched the project and said it would provide a modernized social protection management information system that is fully interoperable across all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.

He stated that the collaboration with UNICEF, the EU, and the ILO would bring about a comprehensive approach to tackling poverty and improving social inclusion.

“With the continued support of the European Union and other development partners, we are confident that we will achieve greater progress in deepening social inclusion and building human resilience,” Lawal said.

He called on stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the private sector, and citizens, to work together in advancing the project’s objectives. He also urged all development partners to align their efforts with state government institutions and local communities to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged beneficiaries of the ongoing Adire Training Programme to embrace the initiative with passion and commitment to maximize their full potential and compete favorably on the global stage. She made the call during the flag-off ceremony for a new batch of trainees held at the Adire Ekiti Hub along Iworoko Road in Ado-Ekiti.

Dr. Oyebanji emphasized the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower citizens, strengthen the cultural economy, and position Ekiti State as a center of creativity and innovation. She stated that the Adire Ekiti Initiative was designed to promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth through cultural heritage.

Acknowledging the support of stakeholders, Dr. Oyebanji praised Senator Cyril Fasuyi, who is sponsoring 35 trainees, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Olufunso Adebiyi, who is sponsoring 100 trainees. She described their contributions as an investment that will bring lasting benefits to the 135 participants and the state.

“This Adire training programme is another remarkable step in our mission to empower our people and preserve our cherished cultural heritage. It is my personal initiative, born out of a passion to uplift our people through creativity and culture,” she said.

Dr. Oyebanji highlighted the impact of the programme, recalling that since its inception, over 3,800 widows and young people across Ekiti State have been trained in different batches. She noted that some local government chairmen have also replicated the project in their areas, leading to positive and transformative results.

Speaking on the cultural and economic importance of Adire, she explained that it is more than just a fabric. “Adire is a living symbol of identity, resilience, and ingenuity. Beyond cultural pride, Adire has become a global commodity with enormous potential for job creation, wealth generation, and sustainable growth. Ekiti must take her rightful place in this expanding creative economy,” she added.

Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor’s Wife on Adire, Mrs. Remi Adefemi, revealed that the 135 new trainees were selected from Ekiti North Senatorial District and Ise/Orun Local Government. She encouraged the participants to remain dedicated throughout the training, describing it as a vital opportunity to develop skills and improve their livelihoods.

“This is not just a training exercise but a golden opportunity to empower our people, preserve our cultural heritage, and create pathways for sustainable livelihoods,” Adefemi said.

The ceremony was attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the Wife of the Governor on Political Matters, Mrs. Toyin Adepoju, and other dignitaries who commended the initiative for its role in youth empowerment and economic development.

The Director General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), Dr. Michael Zira Wadaragwo, has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s vision of empowering citizens through targeted poverty alleviation and wealth creation programs.

Dr. Wadaragwo gave this assurance when members of the Nigeria Aid Group, a paramilitary body under the Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), paid him a solidarity visit at his office in Yola.

The Nigeria Aid Group commended Dr. Wadaragwo for what they described as effective implementation of Governor Fintiri’s vision, saying his efforts have translated into practical empowerment schemes that are positively impacting communities at the grassroots level. They pledged their continuous support to the agency and offered prayers for the success of the administration.

In his response, Dr. Wadaragwo appreciated their show of solidarity and urged them to remain partners in progress by sustaining prayers for peace, unity, and development across Adamawa State.

“The work we do at PAWECA is not for ourselves but for the people of Adamawa. His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has given us a clear mandate to fight poverty and create opportunities for wealth generation. With the support of groups like yours, we will continue to deliver meaningful programmes that bring the dividends of democracy to our people,” Dr. Wadaragwo stated.

He also highlighted some of the agency’s recent initiatives, including skills acquisition training designed to equip youths and women with practical skills to boost self-reliance. He revealed that under the Fintiri Business Wallet scheme, 40,000 small-scale businesses benefited from cash transfers of N50,000 each to support their growth and sustainability.

According to him, the agency, in partnership with development agencies, is working to expand job opportunities across different sectors to reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods.

During the visit, members of the Nigeria Aid Group mounted a parade in honor of the PAWECA boss, describing his efforts as remarkable in steering the agency towards initiatives that directly improve the lives of residents in Adamawa State.