NEWS EXTRA REV. UGOLOR RENDERS ACCOUNTS OF STEWARDSHIP OF ANEEJ TO THE PUBLIC

 BY LEO EZEKIEL

Speaking as the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) Rev. David Ugolor renders accounts of his stewardship to the public when he addressed the members of the fourth estate of the realm at his office in Benin City. He categorically revealed that the fight against poverty remains one of their society’s most pressing challenges particularly in the regions where a substantial portion of populations is living in poverty. 

He says that the republic has 213. 4 million strong population faces this stark reality adding that approximately 63% (133 million persons live in multidimensional poverty experience a range of deprivations that heavily underscore the urgency of robust intervention). Rev. Ugolor lamented that the sudden removal of fuel subsidy only hikes these members exponentially as the cost of living is at the worrisome stage one of the worst since the republic did gain independence in 1960. He says that to address the spiraling poverty level in the land that the federal government has designed several interventions such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), an ambitious efforts aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable citizenry.

Rev. Ugolor stated that the National Social Investment Programme, Often, lauded as one of Africa’s largest social protection programme is a beacon of hope for millions with an yearly allocation exceeding 1 billion as the programme transcends mere budgetary figures. And again Rev. Ugolor stated that the Enhance Social Protection Policies in Nigeria (ESPPIN) project emerged as a civil society effort to complement the efforts of both the national and sub-national governments in tacking poverty adding that ANEEJ with help from Bread for the World (Germany) and the foreign, common wealth and development office. 

He states that the ESPPIN project is being implemented in five states of (Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Ekiti) and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and ANEEJ is working with CSO partners such as Community Empowerment and Development Initiative (CEDI) International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC). 

Rev. Ugolor did inform the Newsmen that the reports shows that the ESPPIN project which did begin 2020 has achieved some remarkable outcomes aligner with their goal they played a key role harmonization of Social Protection Bills at the NASS and aligning same with the National Social Projection Policy which they canvassed for a review adducing that the project also contributed to the review and approval of the National Policy on Social Protection By the National Economic Council, notably the ESPPIN Projects efforts contributed to social protection policies and laws being enacted in three out of the project states Anambra, Edo and Ekiti showcasing effective policy implementations at the state level. In addition the projects advocacy efforts contributed to the passage of the National Social Programme Bill which was assented to by Former President Buhari in May, 2023.