Group harps on educating stakeholders on social protection, OGP
Group harps on educating stakeholders on social protection, OGP
By: Femi Mustspha
The OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub has called for a town hall meeting at the Local Government level to educate stakeholders on social protection and OGP as well as build structured synergy amongst stakeholders, social protection champions and communities;
This was contained in a Communique issued at the end of one day of community-based awareness, advocacy on social Protection and OGP Commitment four steps down for stakeholders in Rigasa, Nariya and Hayin Mallam Hello Communities of Kaduna State.
The Communique signed by Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini,
Lead For Social Protection, Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub/
Co-chair, Strengthening Social Protection Systems TWG, Hassan Auwal Rigasa,
Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub and Umar Ahmad Gurza Baashi,
Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub/
Gurza Youth And Women Integrity Foundation (GYWI Foundation)
The Communique further stated that the objectives of the awareness and advocacy engagement were to: enlighten community stakeholders on social protection, ongoing programs and interventions and their expected roles; and to educate participants about the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the SAP III commitment to social protection.
The Group also assured that the engagement will further be cascaded to the three communities (Rigasa, Nariya and Hayin Mallam Bello) that had representatives in attendance;
“Partner with the media to serve as whistleblowers on challenges such as corruption during the implementation of Social Protection interventions at the community level;
“Set up a strong network of community social protection advocates/champions; and
Support the communities to carry out advocacy to relent Social Protection implementing agencies in Kaduna state”
Fifty-one participants comprising stakeholders from traditional and religious institutions, diverse community-based organizations, persons with disabilities, children, students, youth and women women amongst others grace the engagement.
The Communique stated that the understanding of the participants was deepened on social protection, OGP commitment 4, state social register, existing interventions and the expected roles of the community stakeholders.
” The community stakeholders commended the organizers for raising awareness and advocating for community participation in the implementation of social protection intervention and OGP commitment 4.
“The community stakeholders further raised concerns over the coverage and targeting during social protection interventions as a lot of the poor and vulnerable members of the community are not beneficiaries.
“The representatives from the government agencies underscored the importance of active community involvement in ongoing social protection awareness, advocating the implementation of effective social protection measures, and ensuring they reach the intended poor and vulnerable citizens of the state.”
The engagement also had resource persons and guests that included the Secretary of Rigasa District Head, Chairman of Rigasa Market, Head of Planning of Kaduna State Operations Coordinating Unit (KADSOCU) – who also represented Kaduna Social Investment Programme Agency (KADSIPA), and the Desk Officer of Social Protection in Igabi LGA.
“Others were the Chairperson of Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC), Chairman of the Joint National Associations of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) – Kaduna State chapter, President of the Rigasa Action and Awareness Forum (RAAF), Convener of Coalition of Associations for Leadership, Peace, Empowerment and Development (CALPED). “
