The Ogun State Operations Coordinating Unit (Ogun SOCU) of the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in collaboration with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) recently organised a three-Day step-down training for selected members of its Community Based Targeting Teams in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs, Olufunmilayo Dada, while declaring the training open in Abeokuta, said the exercise, which was in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), was a thoughtful initiative of the Federal Government aimed at providing identity for the Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) across the country.

She emphasised that the training organised for Desk Officers, Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Officers and three Enumerators each across the 20 Local Government Areas in the State was essential at equipping them with the necessary skills and prerequisite knowledge to undertake the update of the State Social Register and NIN Integration Exercise in the State.

Mrs. Dada, urged the 100 participants to ensure that they participate in the training and diligently carry out the update of the State Social Register and NIN Integration Exercise thereafter.

In her remarks, the National Coordinator, NASSCO, Dr. Funmi Olotu, represented by the National Grievance Redress Mechanism Manager, Dr. Daniel Amba, said Integrating the State Social Register with the NIN was a critical policy drive of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration aimed at providing the Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) in the country with identification, so as to ensure that the most vulnerable households receive the support they need.

 “using the NIMC device for enrollment, Kobo Collect for data collection and the subsequent updating of household information will ensure that we capture the correct data and provide the necessary support to those who need it most. “As you implement this initiative, you are not only providing identity to the vulnerable households but also ensuring that they have access to critical social services and support, “she said

In her welcome address, the SOCU State Coordinator, Mrs. Ijeoma Adegbite, lauded the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, for providing an enabling environment for Ogun SOCU to work efficiently and effectively, which had led to its great success at gathering the data of poor and vulnerable households while ensuring that they were not left out of receiving the necessary support.

She charged participants to listen attentively to all presentations, and participate actively in the practical sessions.

In his goodwill message, Ogun State Coordinator, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Olushola Shotayo, reiterated the importance of the NIN Integration to the State Social Register, saying that without accurate data, there would not be any meaningful plan and progress in the country.

Shotayo noted the need to have a reliable National Social Register birth its harmonisation with National Identification Number (NIN), while urging trainees to pay attention to the facilitators, and acquire the needed knowledge to carry out the exercise effectively. 

In their respective remarks, some of the participants, Desk Officer, Ewekoro Local Government, Mrs. Olubunmi Olakanmi, Grievance Redress Mechanism Officer, Ijebu North LGA, Mrs. Olayinka Adesanya, as well as an Enumerator from Ipokia LGA Mr. Emmanuel Godonu, appreciated the organisers of the training, promising to contribute their quota at ensuring the success of the programme in the State.