By Laraba MUREY
The federal government has said it is committed to making sure that poor and vulnerable persons’ economic status is improved within the next decade.
launching its 2021-2025 strategic plan as a guiding tool for lifting vulnerable populations out of poverty.
The minister,Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed this during the launch of the Strategic Roadmap themed “Mapping out a life of dignity for all” hinged on seven pillars,the plan is aimed at lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty and ensuring economic stability.
Farouq explained that in line with the Ministry’s onerous task of effectively discharging responsibilities that are pivotal to the economy of the nation and the well-being the citizenry. From managing disasters, to responding to humanitarian issues and implementing social development programmes and interventions, the Ministry is well positioned to proactively deal with myriad issues, such as natural and man-made disasters, social imbalance, inadequate food provision and inequitable distribution of social amenities amongst the citizenry.”
According to Farouq ” In formulating the 7 (seven) key strategic focal points of the Strategic Roadmap, we thoroughly analyzed the 9 (nine) key priority areas of President Buhari’s agenda, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and the National Development Plan that was recently launched by Mr. President on Wednesday, 22nd December 2021.
“The alignment of the Ministry’ strategic pillars with these operative national plans ensures that the Ministry and its stakeholders are working in the right direction towards championing the federal government’s developmental stride.”
Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo who was represented by the Deputy Chief Of Staff to the President, Adeola Abdulrahman, said “the roadmap also rightly registers the importance of coordinations across all the federal state and local governments, an outcome that is critical in driving transformation on the ground.”
In addition, “By situating itself in the broad matrix of national planning, The ministry is contributing to the climate of coherence and continuity across all spheres of governance.”
The Vice President described the road map and the Ministry as “a solid attempt by an administration to address the needs of the often neglected category of vulnerable citizens in our senior citizens and those of our compatriots who live with disabilities.
“Social inclusion has been a component of our Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERPG), and the National Development Plan (NDP), it is also linked to the target set by President Muhammadu Buhari to lift a 100 million of Nigerians out of poverty within this decade.”
Also speaking, Minister of Finance, Dr. Zainab Ahmed said “I am also delighted that you have taken the pain to mainstream MDG in this.
“The SDG has recorded a very significant setback and there is a huge funding gap for Africa of about $100m as we collectively try to see how we can bring a positive response to it.
“If you do not get the MDGs in Nigeria, you will be trailing in Africa and also you would be trailing over the world. The responsibility falls in us as government agents and more specifically in you the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
“We commit to continue to support you in this regard the commitment to lift 100m people out of poverty is also a collective responsibility.
The 7 (seven) Strategic Pillars that have been identified for the Ministry are as follows:
Strengthening Policies and Institutional Framework;
Building Evidence-Based Systems for Transparency and Accountability;
Enhancing Programme Delivery Through Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms;
Optimizing Funding and Resourcing Opportunities;
others include, Strategic Partnerships, Collaborations and Disability Inclusion;
Implementation of a Robust Humanitarian Coordination System for Improved Communication and Governance; and, Mainstreaming of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Integration of Social Initiatives and Investment Programmes.
