The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on the Oyo State House of Assembly to support the passage of social protection bill.
According to UNICEF, Social protection, is a mix of policies and programs, designed for individuals and households to reduce poverty and economic shocks.
The call was made yesterday during a sensitization meeting with members of the Assembly organised by UNICEF and the Ministry of Budget and Economic planning held in Ibadan.
In her keynote address, the UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, appealed to Oyo State Legislators to continue pushing for increased budget allocation for children, adolescents, and young people across sectors.
She added that this will ensure efficiency in the way budgets are allocated to ensure children’s rights are safeguarded.
“The House of Assembly plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the rights of the child as lawmakers. As such, UNICEF which I represent today, calls on you to support the speedy passage of laws that safeguard the interests of children, such as the Social Protection Bill which is the only way forward for the Pace Setter State,” she said.
Ms. Lafoucriere said the 2022 Multidimensional Child Poverty Report ranked Oyo state’s incidence of monetary child poverty at 13.2% and multidimensional child deprivations standing at 33.0%.
She said, “Though the figures may appear low, it is important to note that these indicators are among the highest in South-West Nigeria translating to over half a million children who remain poor and deprived of access to basic social services.”
“I have no doubt that you agree with me that there is an urgent need to do more to fulfill every right of every child in Oyo State.”
Affirming that Oyo State is a focal state for UNICEF, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere said the partnership between the the state government and UNICEF has produced tangible results for children through strengthened systems, and improved infrastructure such as the recently launched state-of-the-art solarized oxygen plant, and other improved services on immunization, birth registration, Vit A supplementation, reduction of out of school children and reduction of open defecation in communities.
She spoke further: “It is now high time to support the strengthening of the social protection system to ensure all of our efforts are sustainable in time. Oyo state is a key state for UNICEF, and I am happy to reiterate that we are happy to work very closely with you to support your commendable efforts.”
“The Pace Setter must remain the pacesetter state and start hosting other states for south-south learning.”
Speaking earlier, the House Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, Sanjo Adedoyin, disclosed that the House will ensure that the intent of the gathering is fulfilled.
He said the 10th Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin will give priority to bills and laws concerning children and women, to ensure inclusivity in the affairs of the state.
The lawmaker said the state government has made commendable efforts to foster an environment that embraces out-of-school children.
Also, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde, applauded UNICEF, for its support to the government, which yielded in the State’s publishing social protection policy.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, the commissioner looked forward to other areas of collaboration with the the state government.
He appealed to the assembly to enact laws on social protection, while the state government takes public actions that will address poverty and economy shock.
