FG Deepens Anti-Poverty Drive as Minister Takes Social Intervention to Grassroots in Ondo
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has intensified its social protection efforts with a direct engagement of beneficiaries in Ondo State, signaling a shift toward grassroots-driven implementation aimed at delivering measurable impact and restoring public trust in poverty reduction programmes.
The high-level outreach, held in Ibule Community, Ifedore Local Government Area, saw the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro lead officials to interact directly with beneficiaries of the HoPE-CT initiative under the National Social Safety Nets Project–Scale Up (NASSP-SU).
According to a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reductionthe engagement forms part of the government’s renewed strategy to strengthen transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in social intervention delivery nationwide.
Addressing participants, Dr. Doro stressed that government programmes must translate into real change at the community level rather than remain policy statements on paper.
“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 said.
He further outlined the Ministry’s shift toward a more coordinated framework, adding:
“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.”
Providing insight into the programme’s reach, the Minister disclosed that 173,424 beneficiaries were supported in the first tranche, 110,446 in the second, and 107,704 in the third, translating to an estimated 780,408 individuals impacted across Ondo State when household size is considered. He attributed variations in figures to ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) validation aimed at ensuring accuracy and transparency.
The Minister also warned beneficiaries against extortion, emphasizing that the programme is entirely free and urging them to report irregularities through designated channels, including the toll-free line 969.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, highlighted the importance of direct engagement in refining programme delivery.
“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,” he stated.
Representing the Ondo State Government, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Yemi Perisola, described the initiative as transformative.
“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,” she said.
A major highlight of the event was an interactive session where beneficiaries openly shared their experiences and challenges, with some communicating in local dialects through community leaders, reinforcing inclusivity and trust-building.
The engagement drew key stakeholders, including the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Badamasi Lawal, and representatives of the Ondo State Government under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
Participants described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it reflects a government increasingly focused on people-centered governance—combining policy execution with accountability and direct citizen feedback.
