From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) recently held a community outreach session in the Ubulu-Ukwu Community, located in the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, in commemoration of the 2025 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP).
This outreach initiative was part of the ActNaija Project, a collaborative effort implemented by a consortium that includes Bread for the World (BftW), ANEEJ, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), co-funded by the European Union (EU).
The purpose of the outreach was to raise community awareness and encourage participation in social protection programs, promote inclusive access to social safety nets, and strengthen feedback mechanisms to improve service delivery.
Approximately 57 stakeholders participated in the session, including representatives from government ministries, community leaders, youth groups, women’s organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, was represented by Erhisohwode Assurance Ovia Program Officer, who delivered the welcome address and opening remarks.
He provided an overview of the ActNaija Project and its objectives. The discussions centered around this year’s global IDEP theme: “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment by Ensuring Respect and Effective Support for Families.”
Community members learned about ongoing social intervention programs coordinated by the Delta State Ministry of Economic Planning. Updates indicated that the state government had allocated budget provisions for these social interventions through various ministries, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Participants received guidance on how to enroll in the National Social Register (NSR) to benefit from the Household Uplifting Programme (HUP) and oProgramal protection initiatives.
The outreach provided a platform for dialogue, community feedback, and collective reflection on poverty eradication, social inclusion, and the enhancement of institutional frameworks for effective service delivery. Community members gained a better understanding of the ongoing social protection interventions in Delta State and were encouraged to participate in both existing and upcoming programs.
The meeting concluded with a resolution for the SOCU Desk Officer for Aniocha South LGA, in collaboration with the D-CARES Desk Officer, community leaders, and the ActNaija Project team, to coordinate the ongoing enrollment of eligible community members into the National Social Register.
The session wrapped up with a vote of thanks from the Palace representative, Chief Roland Oseji, who praised ANEEJ and its partners for bringing the initiative to Ubulu-Ukwu.
This outreach marks a significant step toward promoting social inclusion and eradicating poverty in the community. With the support of the Delta State Government and ANEEJ, the ActNaija Project is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of community members.
