FG Deepens Social Protection with Direct Engagement of Ondo Beneficiaries
The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to effective social protection delivery as the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, led a high-level delegation to Ondo State for the HoPE-CT Beneficiary Engagement under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NASSP-SU).
At the event, the Honourable Minister restated the present administration’s resolve to move interventions beyond policy formulation to real, measurable impact at the grassroots.
“It is not enough to design policies from afar; we must come to the communities, listen to the people, and ensure that what we are doing is truly making a difference in their lives.”
He highlighted that the Ministry is working towards a more coordinated and impactful system of intervention, noting that “our goal is to move from fragmented support to a more structured approach that creates real pathways out of poverty and restores dignity to households.”
The Minister that under the HoPE-CT Programme in Ondo State, 173,424 beneficiaries were supported in the first tranche, 110,446 in the second tranche, and 107,704 in the third tranche, representing a total of 780,408 individuals impacted across the State when household size is considered.
In a statement by Mrs Janet McDickson, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, he noted that the variation in figures reflects the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) validation process in the Social Register, which ensures transparency, accountability, and accuracy in programme implementation.
While explaining that the programme is entirely free, Dr. Doro cautioned beneficiaries against any form of extortion, urging them to report irregularities through the designated grievance redress channels, including the toll-free line, 969, available on MTN.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, highlighted the importance of direct engagement in strengthening programme effectiveness.
According to him, “this engagement provides us the opportunity to listen directly to beneficiaries, understand their experiences, and ensure that the programme continues to evolve in a way that is transparent, inclusive, and impactful.”
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the State, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Yemi Perisola, described the HoPE-CT Programme as a transformative initiative that directly impacts vulnerable households.
“This programme is not just about financial support; it is about restoring confidence in governance and ensuring that vulnerable households are given the opportunity to rebuild and improve their livelihoods through a transparent and accountable system.” She said
A key moment of the Ondo State engagement was an interactive session where the Honourable Minister held direct dialogue with beneficiaries. Participants shared experiences, challenges, and the programme’s impact on their livelihoods, while engaging the Minister with questions.
The session drew strong grassroots participation, with some beneficiaries speaking in local dialects. Community leaders and a village head assisted with interpretation to ensure all voices were heard.
Beneficiaries described the engagement as timely and impactful, noting a government that delivers interventions and responds to citizens’ needs.
The event reaffirmed the Federal Government’s people-centered approach to governance — combining compassion with accountability and measurable outcomes.
_Dignitaries present included:_ Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Prof. Badamasi Lawal, National Coordinator, NSIPA; Alhaji Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, National Programme Manager, NCTO; Princess Kikelomo Ikuomola, representing Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and Mrs. Yemi Perisola, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
