Low awareness, political influence threatening Osun’s social protection efforts

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Experts and development stakeholders have raised alarms about low public awareness and political interference undermining the effectiveness of social protection programs in Osun State.

This warning was issued during the Osun State Dialogue on Social Protection, organized by the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) under the ACT Naija Project in Osogbo.

The event was co-funded by the European Union and Brot für die Welt, in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget.

In his keynote address, Mr. Dauda Gbadebo Iyanda, Director of Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, emphasized that social protection in Osun can only be effective if it is supported by a comprehensive, inclusive, and legally backed policy framework. “Social protection interventions should be guided by a policy that covers every stage of life, from childhood to old age,” he stated.

Iyanda highlighted the importance of collaboration among all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, noting that effective implementation of these programs can reduce youth-related crises, empower women, and enhance Osun’s socio-economic growth. He cited examples of existing government initiatives, such as the Osun Health Insurance Scheme and the Bureau for People with Disabilities, aimed at alleviating hardship among vulnerable citizens.

However, Olaniyan Boluwatife, State Programme Officer for the Osun ACT Naija Project, revealed that recent baseline findings indicate that many residents remain unaware of ongoing social protection programs in the state. “We discovered low awareness along with instances of favoritism and political interference in the selection of beneficiaries,” Olaniyan remarked. He called for increased transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the programs, as well as capacity building for stakeholders involved in their implementation.

Mrs. Oluwayemisi Cecilia Oladele, Director of Women Affairs at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, emphasized that women and children are the most affected by inadequate social protection delivery. “Women and children are the most vulnerable in our society,” she noted, adding that while initiatives like the Women Clinic are in place to address issues such as gender-based violence, further efforts are needed to improve the welfare of women and girls.

The significance of social protection programs was underscored by Mrs. Roseline Aworinde, a beneficiary from Ife Central Local Government. She shared her transformative experience from a UNDP-supported vocational training project implemented in collaboration with the Osun State Government in 2018. “Before the training, I couldn’t feed my family or pay my children’s school fees. But after receiving my starter pack for tailoring, I became self-reliant,” she added.