EU-backed Act Naija takes social protection awareness to Oba-Ile community

As part of efforts to deepen public awareness and promote grassroots participation in social protection delivery, Brot für die Welt and the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in partnership with the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), on Tuesday organised a community outreach programme in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The project, co-funded by the European Union under the Act Naija initiative, was held at the Community Hall, Oloba Palace, Oba-Ile, with the theme: “Empowering Communities through Awareness: Strengthening Access and Feedback for Improved Social Protection Programmes in Ondo State.”

Addressing participants, the State Project Officer, Mrs. Patrick Adedoyin, said the outreach was designed to close information gaps between government social protection programmes and grassroots communities. She noted that many vulnerable persons were often excluded from interventions due to poor awareness, misinformation and limited access to credible information.

She urged residents to actively engage during the session, ask questions and take advantage of the presence of relevant stakeholders to gain a better understanding of available social protection initiatives.

Also speaking, the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of NISD, Mr. Olusegun Ojo, explained that the programme aimed to improve community knowledge of social protection schemes implemented by both the federal and state governments. He said participants were expected to act as “change agents” by disseminating the information gained to other members of their communities.

According to him, improved awareness would help residents understand ongoing interventions and ensure that those unable to attend the outreach also benefit from the information shared.

In her goodwill message, the Regent of Oloba of Oba-Ile, Her Royal Majesty Princess Adefoluke Veronica Agunbiade-Adu, commended the organisers for bringing the outreach to the community. She described the initiative as timely and impactful, saying it would significantly enhance residents’ understanding of government intervention programmes. She pledged the community’s full cooperation and support.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the State Operations and Coordination Unit (SOCU) of the National Social Safety Nets Project, Mr. Oluwashomi Iwayemi, also addressed participants on the purpose of the engagement, which he said was to raise awareness about the establishment of the state’s Single Social Register.

He explained that past government interventions often fell short due to structural challenges, leading to the adoption of a policy framework aimed at identifying and reaching the poorest of the poor. According to him, the state’s Social Register, aligned with the National Social Register, now serves as the main database for targeting and delivering social interventions based on set criteria.

The Akure North representative of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Ajayi, applauded the initiative, describing it as consistent with the agency’s mandate of public enlightenment. He noted that the outreach exposed community members to intervention opportunities available to them and commended NISD for taking the programme to the grassroots.

Civil society participation featured prominently, with the Executive Director of The Speaking Voice of Hope Initiative (TSVHI), Mrs. Bola Inwang, calling for stronger collaboration among communities, civil society organisations and government agencies to ensure that vulnerable groups are not excluded from social protection programmes.

Other stakeholders at the event included the State Cash Transfer Officer, Mrs. Adeniyi Dorcas, who represented the Cash Transfer Programme Manager, Mr. Adeloye, as well as the Akure North Local Government Community Development Department Chairman, represented by the Assistant Director, Mrs. Obe Judith.

The interactive session allowed community members to ask questions and make inputs on social protection delivery. Some residents who spoke with journalists after the event expressed appreciation to NISD and its partners for bringing the outreach to Oba-Ile, saying it clarified misconceptions about government interventions.

They described the programme as empowering, informative and timely, noting that it provided firsthand information on social protection opportunities available to them and pledging to share the knowledge gained with other members of their communities.