Cross River State Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Helen Egodo
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
Social protection has been identified as one of the ways of reducing economic disparities among citizens in Cross River State
The state Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Helen Egodo stated this on Thursday during a two day Capacity Building Workshop for CSO/CBO on Public Finance Management (Budget), Human rights and Budget Analysis held at Danic Hotel Calabar.
The theme of the workshop is titled; “Public Finance Management Legislative Advocacy and Resource Mobilization for Effective Social Protection Programming in CRS”.
Mrs. Egodo said the theme of the workshop is quite apt as it underscores the need for all stakeholders to be committed to the implementation of Social Protection Programs, emphasizing the importance of deploying techniques for advocacy and resource mobilization for the Same.
According to her, the workshop is a partnership engagement between United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Sustainable development Goals And the Ministry of Social Welfare
“This workshop implies a significant step forward in a collective mission to enhance the capacity of a CSO’s, CBO’s, NGOs and individuals in areas as crucial as this, bearing in mind the fact that social protection is a vehicle to improve social justice , Reduce social economic disparities among citizens in the states, reduce extreme poverty among the most deprived, empower the most vulnerable to reduce multidimensional poverty, and the impact of economic shocks, provide social welfare and improve security/nutrition, ensure that citizens have access to, and utilize basic social services and infrastructures’
“As the commissioner for humanitarian Affairs, I am delighted to witness this convergence of diverse expertise and perspectives, it is through such collaborative efforts that we can ensure a more inclusive and just society for our citizens”
‘I encourage you to actively participate, Engage in thoughtful discussions, and absorb the knowledge as skills that this workshop offers. Let this be a turning point that empowers you to make a lasting impact in our environment, advocating for effective social protection programs that uphold the rights and well-being of the people of Cross River state’
“I wish you a productive and enlightening workshop, and I look forward to seeing the positive transformations that will undoubtedly arise from your collective efforts”
In a good will Message the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Dr Mrs Margaret Ene -Ita said the government of the Day is committed to ensure that every one is carry along especially the poorest of the poor.
In Collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Cross River State has developed a Social Protection Policy modelled after the Federal Government’s Social Protection Framework. This policy document has been launched and disseminated to members of the public. It has therefore become relevant that stakeholders are acquainted with this policy.
The government of the day is poised to ensure that “no one is left behind” and so we are taking deliberate steps to meet the needs of the poorest of the poor who live in our cities, towns, villages, communities and hamlets.
“We are aware that there is civil society presence even in places where there are no government establishments and we are also aware that these organizations provide essential services to the people of our dear state even in the interiors. It is for this reason that you all have been invited to participate in this training to acquaint you with the Cross River State Social Protection Policy and to build your capacity to continue to provide invaluable Social Protection services to the good people of Cross River state.
Mrs Maureen Zubai Okolo from UNICEF said there’s so much potential for collaboration in achieving social protection.
Mrs. Okolo, who commended the Cross River State House of Assembly for their supports, noted that many people have very good Ideas but are not empowered
