Lagos State Government Flags Off 5-IBILE Divisions’ Social Protection Awareness Campaign

Ekohotblog reports that the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), on Thursday, November 28, 2024, officially launched the Social Protection IBILE Awareness Campaign at the Epe local Government Secretariat.

The campaign seeks to promote initiatives designed to uplift the State’s vulnerable and marginalized populations across the five divisions: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George,

Mrs. Oluwakemi Gabadeen Adedeji pointed at the administration’s dedication to coordinated social protection measures (SPMs).

“This administration is deeply committed to ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.

“With initiatives like the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) for targeting vulnerable populations and impactful programmes such as Ounje Eko and discounted transportation schemes, we are actively addressing socio-economic shocks.”

Mrs. Adedeji outlined the State Government’s strides in advancing social interventions through the establishment of the Social Protection Coordinating Department within MEPB—the first of its kind in Nigeria.

She also highlighted the annual increase in budgetary allocations to social protection, the creation of the THEMES+ Agenda, and over 90 intervention programmes across more than 20 socio-functional MDAs.

She noted that the campaign’s collaborative framework involves key MDAs, including the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Wealth Creation and Employment, and Agriculture, working together to deliver programmes such as skill acquisition, subsidized medical cards, job centres, and agro-input provisions for smallholder farmers.

“The IBILE Awareness Campaign is not just a call to action; it is a testament to our resolve to harmonize social interventions in Lagos State.

It represents a unified effort to ensure that the most vulnerable among us are adequately served,” she added.

The event featured discussions on the role of partnerships in achieving social protection goals.

Mrs. Adedeji called on stakeholders, including civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector, to strengthen their collaborations with the government.

“No single entity can achieve the goals of social protection in isolation,” she stated.

“This is why we are here today—to align our efforts, share responsibilities, and make a lasting impact on the lives of our people.”

She also expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and passion for human capital development, noting his support for the campaign.

“The Governor’s vision for a 21st-century Lagos State and his focus on a human-centric city are the driving forces behind our efforts,” she said.

She also acknowledged the UNICEF’s role in the State’s social protection drive, she remarked,

“Our partnership with UNICEF has been pivotal in advancing this agenda, and we look forward to continued collaboration for the betterment of Lagosians.”

Stakeholders at the event praised the initiative. A representative from one of the MDAs said, “This campaign is a remarkable step toward ensuring that every Lagosian, irrespective of their socio-economic status, benefits from the State’s resources and interventions.”