Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for an inclusive, transparent and well-targeted implementation of the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), stressing that poverty reduction and social inclusion are critical to tackling the root causes of insecurity and instability in Nigeria.
Governor Zulum made the call at the official launch of the HOPE-SP programme, themed “From Palliative to Pathways,” organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
The programme was formally unveiled by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
Zulum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the programme, describing it as a strategic intervention with the potential to address some of the socio-economic factors contributing to insecurity, insurgency and instability across the country.
According to the Governor, poverty, illiteracy and social inequality are among the underlying drivers of insurgency and insecurity in different parts of the world, including Nigeria. He therefore emphasised that military action alone cannot bring lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.
“The kinetic measures alone will not end the insurgency. Addressing the socio-economic and political dimensions of the crisis is critical to addressing insecurity challenges in Nigeria,” Zulum said.
He assured the Federal Government that state governments would continue to provide the necessary support and collaboration required to ensure the success of the initiative.
However, the Borno Governor cautioned that poor implementation, particularly ineffective beneficiary selection, remains one of the major challenges facing social intervention programmes globally.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as the implementing agencies, to establish clear and objective vulnerability criteria for identifying beneficiaries.
“I want to call upon the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure that targeted beneficiaries are selected based on certain vulnerability criteria that will ensure inclusivity,” he said.
Zulum congratulated the Federal Government, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the implementing agencies for launching the initiative, expressing confidence that the programme would significantly improve the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians.
The HOPE-SP programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection framework by transitioning from short-term palliative measures towards sustainable pathways that empower individuals and households to overcome poverty.
Speaking on behalf of Nigerian governors, Zulum reiterated that sustainable peace and security require more than immediate humanitarian assistance. He stressed the need for long-term interventions that address the socio-economic conditions that expose individuals and communities to poverty, vulnerability and insecurity.
The event was attended by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and other senior government officials and stakeholders.
This is very commendable by the fg, 4+4!!!