The Chairman, National Technical Committee, National Social Protection Forum, Dr Taiwo Benson has called on party candidates and the electorates to see the 2023 general elections as an opportunity to improve the standard of living of Nigerians and ensure every Nigerian live a life of dignity.
Benson, said this when he briefed journalists at the launch of the National Electoral Advocacy on Social Protection in Nigeria.
The NSPF chairman explained that the coalition will implement several initiatives including media campaigns, community outreaches, town halls, policy dialogues and individual engagements to achieve its objectives.
According to him, as a result, the coalition in collaboration with stakeholders is launching the social protection to end poverty campaign (#SP2EP2023).
He further explained that the campaign is geared towards ensuring that electoral candidates and their parties understand the importance of social protection in lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty and in mobilizing the electorate to use their votes to demand for increased implementation of social protection initiatives across the country.
While noting that the initiative will translate into meaning impacts in the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, Benson added that the Coalition will put in place measures to hold elected candidates and their parties accountable to the commitment made during the electioneering campaigns.
The SNFP helmsman stressed that ending poverty requires the collective efforts of the governments at all levels, the citizens, development partners, international community, and civil society organizations to drive progress.
The SNFP chairman said it underscores the reason the “Coalition of Social Protection Civil Society Organizations and Partners is organizing this National Dialogue on the Poverty Situation in Nigeria.”
He said multidimensional poverty index report reveals that regardless of the spirited efforts of the government and other stakeholders to eradicate poverty, it is on the increase.
Also, the Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media, Save the Children International Nigeria, Amanuel Mamo said there is still a long way to go to address the social, economic and development needs of the country.
He said, according to a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 82.9 million Nigerians are considered poor by national standards.
“Social protection has the potential to not only reduce negative coping strategies but also, proved to create and enable more effective and rapid responses, strengthen national systems, and contribute to building the resilience of poor populations, particularly the most vulnerable or marginalised,” he said.
