The Permanent Secretary in the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Barbara Osobajo, has sensitized stakeholders on the need to work in synergy in order to achieve the ministry’s mandate.
She gave this advice during a one-day coordination meeting between Heads of Departments of Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Desk Officers across the 18 Local Government Areas in Edo State organised by Child Department of the ministry supported by Brave Heart Initiative, an organization that offers humanitarian services.
Mrs. Osobajo emphasized the need for collaboration between officers at the local and state government levels in order to enable the ministry reach out to people at the grassroots in the implementation of government policies and programmes in the state, describing it as the core mandate of the ministry.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the ministry had a mandate to carry out humanitarian activities in the state and was expected to come up with programmes and policies by the government, which would be of benefit to every citizen, regardless of their location.
Mrs. Osobajo further encouraged the Heads of Departments and Desk Officers to ensure they are available to serve the local governments they are representing, adding that unpleasant situations were responsible for the plight of orphans and the vulnerable in the society and not choice.
She explained that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration is one that understands the plight of the vulnerable, hence its efforts in the provision of basic necessities like shelter, a standard educational system and skills acquisition centres to ensure their survival in the face of hardship currently faced by citizens in the country. She advised the Heads of Departments and desk officers to ensure that the vulnerable get easy access to government gestures through sensitization exercises on new and beneficial polices in the rural and grassroot areas of the state.
Earlier, the Director of Child Department, Mrs. Kate Bello, during a presentation on the Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s (OVC) Programme in line with best practices, encouraged participants on the need for proper documentation of data to enable proper planning and coordination, stressing that LGAs play vital roles in the care of orphans and the vulnerable in the state.
According to her, a collaboration between the local and state governments would help in the understanding of specific needs of each community, making planning easier and interest-driven.
On his part, Alhaji Sedenu Mohammed, Director of Socials, Etsako East Local Government Area, thanked the organizers of the meeting, promising to work in synergy with the state, as this would help in the reduction of street children and curb several social vices plaguing the society.
