UNICEF/NASSCO PARTNER WITH OYO TO ORGANIZE A TWO DAY REFRESHER TRAINING FOR RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barrister Temilolu Seun Ashamu has charged participants to remain fair and transparent during field work, while declaring open a two day State level refresher training on Multidimensional Poverty Community Based Targeting (CBT) organized by UNICEF for Local Government Desk Officers and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Officers from the ten pilot Local Government Areas (Afijio, Atisbo, Ibarapa North, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Lagelu, Ogo-Oluwa, Oriire, Saki East and Surulere) that would be participating in the UNICEF funded Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria (SUSI) project.

 

Barrister Ashamu explained that poverty could be measured using several indicators beyond financial index, that may include access to basic social amenities such as quality roads, healthcare and Education etc. He noted that the Community Based Targeting exercise is crucial to the development of Oyo State as it provides a clearer understanding of poverty and will enable the Government to take effective steps towards its alleviation.

     

 He appealed to participants to refrain from data manipulation and treat the exercise with utmost importance. The Commissioner appreciated His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support towards the fight against poverty.

     

 Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning ,Mr Tunde Julius Ayanleke expressed his profound gratitude to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for supporting the goal of expanding the Social Register of the poor and vulnerable in the State.

 

 He reiterated that the vision of the SUSI Project is to leave no one behind by the year 2030 which encourages the provision of resources for the program in Oyo State.

 He then charged participants to engage actively in the training as their performance in the field will significantly impact the State's development.

   

 In his goodwill message, Dr. Daniel Amba who spoke on behalf of the National Program Manager, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) emphasized that the consistent success of the State Operation Coordinating Unit has attracted the partnership of UNICEF and NASSCO to strengthen the use of Multidimensional Poverty Indicators in Oyo State. He commended OYOSOCU’s staff dedication citing it as a major factor in the selection of Oyo as one of the pilot States. 

 In his response, the representative from UNICEF, Mr. Samuel Olatunji stated that the primary aim of expanding the Social Register of the poor and vulnerable using Multidimensional approach is meant to assist the State in developing an inclusive data, that would positively affect the lives of its citizens.  

Earlier in his address, the State Coordinator, Oyo State Operation Coordinating Unit, Mr. Ismail Salami stated that the main objective of the training is to refresh the knowledge and the skills of the participants on Multidimensional Poverty Indicators that will assist the CBT teams in proper facilitation of the exercise in the 10 pilot Local Government Areas