The Federal Government on Wednesday launched a $1 billion social protection initiative, the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP).
The initiative, aimed at lifting vulnerable Nigerians from temporary palliatives to sustainable pathways of economic empowerment and self-reliance, was unveiled at an elaborate ceremony at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Presenting her address, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu said vulnerable Nigerians were the target of the initiative, which is aimed at lifting them from poverty to a decent and sustainable standard of living.
Senator Tinubu listed the initiatives as the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project, known as HOPE-SP; the One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS); the Emergency Cash Transfer Programme; the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Ministerial Blueprint; and the Humanity First Magazine.
She clarified that the initiatives serve different functions but share a common purpose.
She acknowledged that many Nigerians are at the receiving end of the bold economic reforms of the present administration and must be supported.
She said, “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, our nation is implementing far-reaching reforms to strengthen the economy, lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
“As these reforms continue to take effect, we must recognise that, given the size of our population and available resources, many families still face challenges and require our collective support.”
She further elaborated on the far-reaching gains of the programmes.
“The first initiative, the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project, is an important step towards strengthening how to identify and respond to vulnerable households facing various challenges by listening to their specific needs before taking action. It is designed to provide immediate stabilisation assistance while placing the households on a pathway to recovery, empowerment and self-reliance.
“The second initiative, the One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System, as I was informed, is designed to provide a coordinated national response to humanitarian crises, social protection and poverty reduction. It will prevent duplication and maintain unified national registries that help track and support poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria as they progress from vulnerability to prosperity.
“The third initiative, the Emergency Cash Transfer Programme, will give rapid support to households to mitigate financial shocks.
“The fourth initiative, the Ministerial Blueprint, will provide a clear roadmap for translating the humanitarian and poverty-reduction priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda into coordinated and measurable action. This is important as planning and accountability will be at the centre of service to the Nigerian people.
“Lastly, the fifth initiative, the Humanity First Magazine, is remarkable because it tells the stories of citizens whose lives have been transformed by government interventions.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, noted that the initiatives marked a proactive departure from previous programmes aimed at mitigating the impact of economic policies on vulnerable Nigerians.
Describing the new measures as anticipatory social protection against the impacts of economic reforms, such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market, the minister maintained that the present administration was determined to shift from merely managing poverty to reducing it.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said effective social protection requires sustained collaboration between the federal, state and local governments and other stakeholders.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, commended the initiative and expressed hope that it would make a remarkable impact on the lives of vulnerable citizens.
He noted that addressing poverty and social inequality was important in tackling the root causes of insecurity and instability.