Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has assumed a key role in West Africa being appointed ECOWAS inter-ministerial committee chairman on social protection in the sub-region.
Her appointment followed the approval of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, which includes Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The announcement was made through a statement issued on Monday by her special adviser on media and publicity, Rasheed Zubair.
Key points of Edu’s new role in the new appointment include the fact that she automatically assumed the chairmanship based on the approval granted by the ECOWAS Heads and Government; for which she has immediately stressed the need for private sector and development partner involvement in the regional social protection framework, stating that the time for action is now.
On regional call for Social Protection Framework, Dr. Edu, during the closing session of the inter-ministerial meeting in Banjul, Gambia, highlighted the importance of member countries adopting the ECOWAS regional social protection framework, noting that it is a fundamental human right and a social cum economic necessity, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
She called for collective efforts to achieve maximum social protection in the West Africa sub-region.
Speaking on challenged and progress, the newly appointed inter-ministerial chairman pointed out the existing gaps in social protection, citing that the ECOWAS region has one of the lowest social protections on the continent.
She cited records which show that only about 17% of the population in the ECOWAS region receives social protection benefits, and spending is notably low compared to international standards.
Dr. Edu acknowledged that despite challenges, member states are making strides at the national level, with Nigeria implementing one of the highest social protection interventions, covering 15 million households and 61 million individuals.
Stressing the urgency, Dr. Edu said it was the ample time to call to action and framework implementation, emphasizing that the Social Protection Framework for West Africa aims to provide guidelines to ECOWAS and member states because its seeks to foster regional collaboration to enhance existing social protection system and programmes for poverty reduction and food and nutrition insecurity eradication.
She adds that the framework contributes to achieving various social protection-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking on regional support and recognition, Vice President of the Gambia, Muhammed Jallow, commended the commitment of member states to social protection in the region, adding that the framework addresses challenges such as financing, coverage, climate risk and informality in economic, aiming to move towards mainstreaming social protection into annual budgets.
The event, which recorded a high-level attendance saw the participation of ministers responsible for social protection from eleven countries including Nigeria, with Dr. Edu chairing the session. Regional heads of UNICEF, IFAO, WFP and other organizations were also present.
The appointment of Dr Ed as the chairman on the ECOWAS inter-ministerial committee was described as a significant step towards addressing social challenges in the sub-region as the framework was deemed as a necessity to provide a comprehensive and inclusive approach to social protection, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
