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Nigeria's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Assumes Leadership Role in ECOWAS Social Protection Committee

Katsina City News
28 Nov, 2023
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In a significant development, Dr. Betta Edu, Nigeria's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Committee on Social Protection for West Africa. This appointment, endorsed by ECOWAS Heads of State and Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, positions Dr. Edu to spearhead regional efforts in addressing humanitarian and poverty challenges.

Speaking during the closing session in Banjul, Gambia, Dr. Edu emphasized the urgency of adopting the ECOWAS Regional Social Protection Framework. She underscored that social protection is a fundamental human right and not a privilege, citing its crucial role as a stabilizer during crises. The Minister urged private sectors and development partners to actively engage in implementing the framework.

Highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Edu revealed the significant gaps in social protection in West Africa, with an average of only 17% coverage in the ECOWAS region. She stressed the need for member states to work collaboratively, citing Nigeria's efforts in implementing extensive social protection interventions covering 15 million households.

Moreover, Dr. Edu unveiled Nigeria's comprehensive approach, including a National Policy on Social Protection and a Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund approved by the Federal Executive Council. She emphasized the alignment of interventions with the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus for sustainable responses.

The Minister outlined the purpose of the Social Protection Framework, designed to guide ECOWAS and member states in delivering effective interventions. The framework aims to enhance regional collaboration, address common challenges, and contribute to poverty reduction and food security.

At the closing ceremony, Vice President Muhammad Jallow of The Gambia commended member states for their commitment to social protection. He called for mainstreaming social protection into annual budgets, citing the need to overcome challenges such as financing, coverage, climate risk, and informality in economies.

The event was attended by ministers from eleven countries, including the regional heads of UNICEF, IFAO, WFP, and Nigeria's Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who chaired the ceremony.