Oyo govt to train 180 participants in multidimensional poverty indicators identification

Oyo State Government in collaboration with European Union (EU)/International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is set to train One Hundred and Eighty (180) participants on how to use Multidimensional Poverty Indicators in the Community Based Targeting (CBT) exercise in preparation for the expansion of Social Register of the Poor and Vulnerable across the ten Pilot Local Government Areas in the State.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musbau Babatunde disclosed this while declaring open the three-day Step-down training organized for Desk Officers, Community Based Targeting teams, Enumerators and Grievance Redress Officers (GROs) in Ibadan.

Babatunde explained that the program is designed to strengthen the State’s Social Protection framework by ensuring the accurate identification and inclusion of Vulnerable Households into the National Social Register (NSR) of the poor and vulnerable.

He emphasized the importance of using Multidimensional Poverty Indicators in Community Based Targeting exercise in order to identify households that are experiencing acute deprivation, unstable income, lack of assets, households of persons living with disabilities, out of school children, families with malnourished children and widow headed households.

​The Commissioner, therefore, urged participants to take full advantage of the training, noting that their commitment will ensure that Social Interventions reach the most vulnerable households, there by attracting further support from Development Partners.

While receiving from UNICEF on behalf of the State Government, the symbolic presentation of working tools that will be used by participants for the smooth conduct of the exercise, Professor Babatunde expressed his profound gratitude to UNICEF and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for their continuous support towards expanding the State Social Register of the Poor and Vulnerable.

He described the provision of the working tools as a major boost to the State’s commitment towards building a reliable and data driven Social Protection System.

​Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Tunde Ayanleke highlighted His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde’s unwavering commitment towards populating the State Social Register with credible and verifiable data.

He acknowledged UNICEF’s instrumental role in implementing the EU-SUSI project and also providing essential working tools such as tablets, power banks and Laptops to streamline the household data collection process.

Ayanleke added that the training will equip participants with the necessary skills to identify Local Government Areas that are lagging behind in poverty alleviation efforts, thereby enabling the State to deploy targeted responses and strengthen Social welfare programs.

In his remarks, Mr. Muritala Muhammad who spoke on behalf of the National Coordinator, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) described poverty as a multifaceted challenge requiring Community driven solutions.

He commended participants from the ten Pilot Local Government Areas of Afijio, Atisbo, Ibarapa North, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Lagelu, Ogo Oluwa, Oriire, Saki East and Surulere for their readiness to participate in the project and commitment towards building an equitable society.

He noted that the training will empower them on how to conduct a robust and Multidimensional Approach to Community Based Targeting in expanding and updating the National Social Register with verified beneficiaries and facilitate targeted interventions to break the cycle of poverty.

In her response, the Program Associate (Lagos Office) UNICEF, Mrs. Elohor Michael-Ezeh emphasised that the training aligns with global best practices to mainstream Multidimensional Poverty data into the National Social Register (NSR). She reiterated that the working tools will enhance the efficiency of data collection.

Also, the State Coordinator, Oyo State Operation Coordinating Unit (OYOSOCU) Mr. Salami Ismail appreciated the European Union, UNICEF, NASSCO and the State Government for their continuous support towards strengthening Social Protection Systems in the State.

He assured that the Unit and participants would work diligently in ensuring successful implementation and sustainability of the EU-SUSI Project in the State.