The European Union-funded Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria has been launched in Abia State, even as Governor Alex Otti, OFR, inaugurated the Abia State Social Protection Council.
Speaking at the Government House, Umuahia, on Wednesday, during the official launch of the project, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, noted that the EU’s interventions in health, education, environment, energy, and large-scale support for vulnerable people have greatly improved the social and economic experience of tens of thousands of individuals and families.
He expressed the gratitude of the Abia State Government to the European Union for its committed support to the social and economic development of the State and other parts of Nigeria.
Governor Otti said that the introduction of the EU-FUNDED Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System initiative would greatly enhance the State’s capacity to build on the gains that have been made on the social protection front in the last 28 months.
“I am particularly glad that the programme is designed to function in ways that expand our reach by bringing more people into the social safety net.
“The State, I am happy to announce, is prepared to offer every required support to make this program successful,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive said that the institutional approach to problem-solving explains why his Government set up well-structured platforms like the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, and Abia State Senior Citizen Centre to drive our social protection programmes.
Gov. Otti emphasised that the target is to build a State where the basic welfare of every individual is catered for, no matter their life circumstances, informing the gathering that the State does not treat poverty and social deprivation as an isolated challenge.
In his remarks, the European Union Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, said that the project is an EU-funded project with partners including ILO and UNICEF, and has 2024 to 2027 as its implementation period in Nigeria.
“It’s a 13 million Euros funded project, implemented by UNICEF and ILO in the four states that were already mentioned, including Abia State, and, of course, with the Federal Government.
“This project is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system, expanding coverage for the most vulnerable, and ensuring that no one is left behind.”
He said that the investment in social protection complements the EU’s shared goals in education, health, gender equality, and economic development.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot said that the team would be handing over ICT equipment to the State Government that will be used to integrate poor and vulnerable households into the National social register, commending Governor Otti for the support his Government has given, which has resulted in the progress made so far.
“Let me commend the Executive Governor of Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, for his commitment to the growth and development of the State, and I also want to appreciate UNICEF and ILO for the wonderful collaboration that we are having, and together we are contributing to building a stronger and resilient Abia State and Nigeria in general,” Ambassador Mignot stated.
In her speech, the Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, said that the project speaks to the vision of Governor Otti in the new roadmap of the New Abia and to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the organization will partner the UNICEF to implement and provide social safety nets to catch the most vulnerable in the society.
The launch was witnessed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, several Commissioners, and other senior Government appointees.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
24 – 09 – 2025.
