Umar Idris Shuaibu – Kano
Kano State House of Assembly has vowed to enact a law on social protection policy aimed at improving the well beings of vulnerable groups across the state.
The Speaker of the House Alhaji Jibrin Ismail Falgore stated this while closing the two high level stakeholders advocacy meeting and inauguration of Kano State parliamentary forum on social protection held in Kaduna state, organized by the state Ministry of Budget and Planning in collaboration with UNICEF.
The meeting which was designed for members of the state House of assembly, stakeholders including Commissioners and civil societies so to discuss issues with social protection Bill and other related issues.
During the two day advocacy various papers were presented and deliberated which highlights a lot of issues with regards to the social protection policy in Kano state.
The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly Alhaji Jibrin Ismail Falgore who inaugurated parliamentary Forum on social protection policy, at the occasion, said the provisions of law will give a legal backing to the policy to ensure it’s proper implementation to achieve the set goals.
The Speaker who spoke on the significance of social protection policy especially at this period of economic crunch, said the move will no doubt assist vulnerable groups and poorest households across the state.
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Alhaji Falgore maintained that the State House of Assembly has already gone far in passing laws and motions that related to social protection programme especially in the area of poverty alleviation, food security, education and access to the Heath care delivery services.
He acknowledged the foresight of the UNICEF for it’s commitment to improve the well-being of the less privilege people in the various sectors.
He further assured that the house will do everything possible to ensure the speedy passing of the law in it’s effort to move the state forward.
On his part the Commissioner of Budget and Planning Alhaji Musa Suleiman Shanono said the present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has focus it’s attention on the policies and programmes that will improve the well-being of the people, adding that Kano state Government will not relent it’s effort in supporting the policy.
The Commissioner pledged the Kano State Government support and cooperation in supporting UNICEF and other development partners.
The Commissioner who spoke on the significance of internally generated revenue in the effective implementation of social protection programme, decried the law revenue generation to two point five billion in Kano state compared to Lagos state which generated over fifty billion naira in a month.
Also speaking the Chief of Social Policy UNICEF Abuja, Dr. Hamidou Poufon, said social protection programme needs a collective support to achieve the set goals in for the socio-economic development of the country, and called for legislatures to speedy enact a law so as to have a legal backing.
Dr. Hamidou Poufon who presented paper at the occasion on the Child poverty and vulnerability in Nigeria said UNICEF has comes up with different intervention to improve the lives of Vulnerable groups including women and children.
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The Chief Social Policy officer UNICEF said the meeting will serve as an avenue to critically discuss the bill as well as enlightened members and stakeholders.
In their separate remarks some of the members assured to give all necessary support and cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the social protection programme aimed at improving the well beings of Vulnerable groups and poorest households across the state.
Others who spoke at the occasion included the state commissioner of finance and that of Health and chairman House committee of appropriation, described the meeting as well development as it assist to share ideas on the significance of the social protection policy in the society. Director planning ministry of Budget Alh. Muntari Ado Yakasai,
Others highlights of the occasion included papers presentation from various stakeholders including Director Planning of the State Ministry of Budget Alhaji Mukhtar Ado Yakasai, who presented paper on the roles and responsibilities of state steering committee on social programme, Director Social Investment Kano State Ministry of Budget Alhaji Abubakar Zanna who presented paper on impact of social intervention programme in Kano state and Dalhatu Danladi Planning Department Ministry of Budget, paper on financing social protection, as well as chil poverty and vulnerability in Nigeria by the Chief Social Policy officer UNICEF Abuja.
Some of the members of the State House of Assembly pledged to give all necessary support and cooperation in this direction, and maintained that social protection policy is one of the important sector that will reduce the hardship and poverty among poorest households in the state.
Social Policy Specialist, Kano Field Office Fatimah Musa delivered a presentation on the concept of social protection and terms of reference for parliamentary forum during the session.
