ANEEJ Pays Courtesy Visit to the Commissioner Edo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
Benin City, Nigeria. March 4, 2026 – The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner, Edo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at its newly commissioned secretariat.
The ANEEJ delegation was led by the Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, and included Innocent Edemhanria (Programmes Manager), Sandra Eguagie (Monitoring and Evaluation Manager), and Jeremiah Amaize (Communications Officer).
Speaking during the visit, Rev. Ugolor stated that the purpose of the engagement was to establish a strategic partnership with the Ministry, foster synergy, and develop sustainable policies and collaborative initiatives aligned with the Edo State Government’s mandate to improve the welfare of vulnerable populations across the state.
He provided an overview of ANEEJ’s work over the past three decades, highlighting its interventions in governance reform, anti-corruption advocacy, asset recovery and management, and public finance transparency. Rev. Ugolor also introduced the Act Naija project, a social protection initiative currently being implemented across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. The project focuses on grassroots sensitisation and poverty reduction efforts aimed at strengthening social accountability and citizen engagement. He reaffirmed ANEEJ’s readiness to work closely with the Ministry in delivering impactful humanitarian and poverty alleviation programmes.
The Honourable Commissioner, Chief Barrister Olabisi Marie Idaomi, Esq., warmly received the delegation and acknowledged ANEEJ’s longstanding contributions both in Edo State and at the national level. She reiterated the mandate of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, which includes a commitment to lift one million households out of poverty by the end of his tenure—500,000 within the first four years.
The Commissioner noted her transition from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, observing that while both institutions share related objectives, their mandates are distinct. She expressed optimism that, with strategic partnerships and institutional collaboration, the Ministry would deliver measurable impact and position Edo State as a leading actor in the humanitarian sector. “Edo is ready to play in the humanitarian space,” she affirmed.
Chief Idaomi commended Rev. Ugolor for his leadership and sustained service to humanity, acknowledging ANEEJ’s over thirty years of impactful work. She further extended an invitation to ANEEJ to participate in the First Edo State Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Summit (MHAPA Summit 2026), scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Theme: Strengthening Systems, Transforming Lives: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Humanitarian Action and Poverty Alleviation.
As a gesture of goodwill, Rev. Ugolor presented the ANEEJ 2026 calendar to the Commissioner.
Also present at the meeting were members of the Commissioner’s team:
- Dr Efosa Aisiea — Permanent Secretary
- Mr Nosa Nesta E. — Director, Crisis Intervention and Prevention
- Mrs Susan Akpebor — Secretary to the Honourable Commissioner
- Andrea Olu-Martins — Head of Media
The visit marks the beginning of what both institutions anticipate will be a productive partnership aimed at strengthening humanitarian systems and accelerating poverty alleviation efforts in Edo State.
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