C'R Govt in Collaboration with UNICEF holds a Two Day Social Protection Sensitization Workshop with Stakeholders

Iloke Egbe 

In an effort to ensure that stakeholders implement the milestones required for the strengthening of the State social protection policy, the State Government in collaboration with UNICEF has organized a two-day Stakeholders sensitization workshop to deepen awareness and participation amongst relevant stakeholders in line with the State mantra.

The workshop held at Dannic Hotel Ekorinim Calabar seeks to analyze and evaluate the journey so far with the objectives of understanding what constitutes challenges in the successful implementation of the policy and where to collaborate more amongst partners.

Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Coordination.  Elder Dr. Hippolatus Ogar Lukpata, thanked the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for providing the right environment, support and the provision of systems and strong institutions to drive the process of State development. 

He asserted that the workshop marked important steps in the State collective efforts to promote social inclusion, reduce poverty and vulnerability, and improve the well-being of the people of our dear State. That social protection is not merely a welfare intervention but a strategic investment in human capital and sustainable development.

According to Mr Lukpata, social protection provides a framework for protecting the most vulnerable members of our society including children, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly and those affected by economic and social shocks. That through effective social protection measures, we can build resilient communities and create opportunities for all citizens to live with dignity and hope.

In his words, "this workshop presents a valuable platform for stakeholders from different sectors to deepen their understanding of the State social protection policy, its objectives, implementation strategies, and expected outcomes" that, it also provides an opportunity for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration towards ensuring that the Policy translates into meaningful benefits for the people. While pledging the commitment of the Ministry to foster partnerships, mobilization of development partners support and encourage initiatives that strengthen the effective implementation of the Social Protection Policy in the State.

Adding her voice, the Commissioner Ministry of Women, Hon. Dr. Edema Irom, thanked the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu for believing in strong institutions and giving the necessary support to ensure that the right is done which helps to bring government closer to those who need it most. Mrs. Irom also thanked the Ministry of International Donor Coordination and UNICEF for driving the process with experience and capacities. 

 While the State Statistician General Mrs Akedoh Okoi Edet asserted that the bureau has a lot of data and with the support of the Governor, the Bureau has carried out disability surveys which will help the State to close relevant gaps in Planning. That the Bureau doesn't accept data that they participate in the process, adding that the Bureau is the custodian of the State data and called for collaboration with partners to reduce duplications.

The two-day event features paper presentations, goodwill messages from partners, plenary and review of progress made including challenges, 2027 proposed workplan. In attendance were permanent Secretaries from Ministry, Departments and Agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of police, the Director General Cross River State Policy and Investment Agency, the Director General of Association of Local Government chairmen ALGON, including members of the University, Civil Society Organizations.

Some of the topics for discussion were understanding the Cross River State Social Protection Policy framework, prioritizing social protection in the renewed hope era: leaving no Cross Riverian behind. Update on the expansion of the unified social register in the Cross River State. Others are challenges of social protection policy implementation at the grassroot level in the State and sustainable financing of social protection policy in the State.

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