By Femi Mustapha
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has launched a community outreach session in Isiokolo, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State, to enhance community access to social protection programs.
In a welcome address, Rev. David Ugolor, ANEEJ’s Executive Director, represented by Deputy Executive Director Leo Atakpu, emphasized the importance of social protection in reducing poverty and vulnerability.
He noted that the outreach session was part of the ActNaija Project, being implemented by a consortium of Bread for the World (Germany), ANEEJ, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), with funding from the European Union.
Atakpu commended the Delta State Government for passing the Delta State Social Investment Programme Law, a landmark achievement that demonstrates the state’s commitment to institutionalizing social protection and safeguarding the welfare of its people.
He urged the government to establish the Delta State Social Investment Programme Committee to enable the full implementation of the social investment programs.
The outreach session, themed “Enhancing Community Access to Social Protection Programmes in Delta State,” aimed to educate community members on available social protection programs, including the National Social Register (NSR), Cash Transfer Programme, Widows Welfare Scheme, AGILE, GEST, and the MORE Agenda.
Atakpu emphasized the importance of technology, data, and digital tools in strengthening social protection systems, noting that informed communities, accurate data, and monitored programs would lead to more effective, inclusive, and transparent service delivery.
ANEEJ expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government, Ethiope-East Local Government Authority, traditional leaders, and stakeholders for their support of the ActNaija Project.
The organization pledged its commitment to working with communities to build a Delta State where no one is left behind, nd and every family has access to essential services and opportunities.
The outreach session provided a platform for community members to engage with government representatives, share their experiences, and offer recommendations to improve social protection programs.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, youth and women leaders, and community members.
