ANEEJ Calls on Gov Oborevwori to Assent the Delta State Social Protection Bill

…..as  Ubulu-Ukwu Community Commits to Social Protection Enrollment

UBULU-UKWU, DELTA STATE | OCTOBER 17, 2025 — The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently assent to the Delta State Social Protection Bill (2023) passed by the State House of Assembly to give strong legal backing to ongoing social protection efforts across the state.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, made the call at a community outreach session organized by ANEEJ in Ubulu-Ukwu Community, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, as part of activities marking the 2025 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP), commemorated globally every October 17.

Represented by the State Programme Officer, Erhisohwode Assurance Ovie, the ANEEJ Chief reiterated the need for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to tackle poverty and drive inclusive development in Delta State. He emphasized that assenting to the Social Protection Bill would mark a major step toward institutionalizing the state’s social protection system and ensuring that social safety net interventions reach those who need them most.

The outreach formed part of the ActNaija Project, a collaborative initiative implemented by a consortium of Bread for the World (BfdW), ANEEJ, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), with co-funding from the European Union (EU). The project seeks to enhance community awareness and participation in social protection programmes, promote inclusive access to social safety nets, and strengthen feedback mechanisms for improved service delivery.

Discussions during the outreach centered on this year’s global IDEP theme — “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment by Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families.” Participants described the theme as a call to action for all stakeholders to create people-centered systems that respond to community needs and uphold the dignity of every family in line with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty).

Community members were informed about ongoing social intervention programmes coordinated by the Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning and other relevant ministries. Updates revealed that the state government has made budgetary provisions for social welfare programmes under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Women Affairs, and Ministry of Youths and Sports, among others. Participants were also guided on how to enroll in the National Social Register (NSR) to benefit from the Household Uplifting Programme (HUP) and other related initiatives.

Some beneficiaries shared testimonies on how they have benefitted from existing social intervention programmes, citing improvements in household income and welfare. Community members were advised to get their National Identification Number (NIN) and bank details ready, as these are key requirements for enrollment into the NSR.

Beyond raising awareness, the outreach created a platform for dialogue, community feedback, and collective reflection on how to strengthen Delta State’s social protection ecosystem and ensure inclusiveness in policy implementation.

Key Outcome:

Participants gained improved knowledge of ongoing social protection programmes in Delta State and agreed to collaborate with local and state-level actors to ensure wider enrollment into the National Social Register. The SOCU Desk Officer for Aniocha South LGA, in collaboration with the D-CARES Desk Officer, community leaders, and the ActNaija Project team, will coordinate the ongoing registration of eligible community members, ensuring equitable access to government social protection benefits.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Chief Roland Oseji, representing the Palace, who commended ANEEJ and its partners for bringing the initiative to Ubulu-Ukwu. The session ended with a group photograph marking the successful outreach.

ANEEJ, through the ActNaija Project, reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Delta State Government and other stakeholders to strengthen social protection systems and ensure that no one is left behind.

The outreach recorded the participation of about 57 stakeholders, including representatives from key government MDAs such as the Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning, represented by Mrs. Kate Agadaigho (Assistant Director); the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), represented by Dr. Ndudi E. Francis (Head of Operations); and the Delta-CARES Desk Officer for Aniocha South LGA, Mr. Prosper Osadebe. Others in attendance included community leaders, represented by Chief Roland Oseji, youth groups, women, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media.

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