The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Oyo State House of Assembly to support the passage of the Social Protection Bill. This bill encompasses a range of policies and programs designed to help individuals and households mitigate poverty and cope with economic shocks.
The appeal was made during a sensitization meeting with Assembly members, organized by UNICEF and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, held in Ibadan.
In her keynote address, the UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, urged Oyo State legislators to push for increased budget allocations for children, adolescents, and young people across various sectors. She emphasized that efficient budget allocation is crucial for safeguarding children’s rights.
Ms. Lafoucriere highlighted the pivotal role of the House of Assembly in fulfilling the rights of the child, calling on the lawmakers to support the rapid passage of laws like the Social Protection Bill, which she described as essential for the state’s progress.
“The House of Assembly plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the rights of the child as lawmakers. UNICEF calls on you to support the speedy passage of laws that safeguard the interests of children, such as the Social Protection Bill, which is the only way forward for the Pace Setter State,” she stated.
Ms. Lafoucriere also referenced the 2022 Multidimensional Child Poverty Report, which ranked Oyo State’s incidence of monetary child poverty at 13.2% and multidimensional child deprivation at 33.0%. She pointed out that these figures translate to over half a million children in the state who are deprived of access to basic social services.
“I have no doubt that you agree with me that there is an urgent need to do more to fulfill every right of every child in Oyo State,” she added.
Reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to Oyo State, Ms. Lafoucriere noted that the partnership between UNICEF and the state government has yielded tangible results, including the launch of a state-of-the-art solarized oxygen plant, improved immunization services, birth registration, Vitamin A supplementation, reduction of out-of-school children, and decreased open defecation in communities.
“It is now high time to support the strengthening of the social protection system to ensure all of our efforts are sustainable over time.
Oyo State is a key state for UNICEF, and we are happy to work closely with you to support your commendable efforts. The Pace Setter must remain the pacesetter state and start hosting other states for south-south learning,” she emphasized.
House Leader Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin affirmed the Assembly’s commitment to prioritizing bills and laws concerning children and women under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin. He noted that the Oyo State government has made commendable efforts to create an inclusive environment for out-of-school children.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, applauded UNICEF for its support, which has resulted in the publication of the state’s social protection policy. Represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, he expressed the state government’s readiness to collaborate further with UNICEF.
He appealed to the Assembly to enact laws on social protection and urged the state government to take public actions that address poverty and economic shocks.
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