By Fatima Muraina
The Ondo State Government has conducted a two-day refresher training for Community-Based Targeting (CBT) officers drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state.
The training, which was organised by the Ondo State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU), took place in Akure.
Declaring the training open, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Olaolu Akindolire, described it as a demonstration of the government’s resolve to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.
The commissioner emphasised that the work of the CBT officers must be guided by integrity, hard work and commitment, adding that transparency and fairness are essential in the data collection process.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration to improving the welfare of residents through data-driven social protection policies.
He assured participants of the government’s support and the timely payment of allowances, while urging them to approach their assignments with sincerity and a strong sense of duty.
Akindolire noted that the existing social register has already made a significant impact, with over 800,000 residents benefiting from various programmes.
He charged participants to maintain high standards of truthfulness and objectivity as they expand the register, stressing that the mandate of government is to serve, not to burden the people.
He also expressed appreciation to officials of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) for their continued partnership and support to the state in strengthening its social protection system.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of SOCU, Olaoluwa Bankole, said the training was aimed at expanding the Ondo State Social Register of Poor and Vulnerable Households, which serves as the primary database for delivering social protection programmes in the state.
Bankole pointed out that the initiative marks another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen social protection and inclusion.
He noted that the social register, which the state has been developing for over seven years, currently contains data on more than 800,000 individual household members who have benefited from various government interventions, including cash transfers and public works programmes.
He explained that the ongoing expansion is designed to capture more households and individuals across the 18 local government areas, to ensure equitable access to state and national social intervention schemes.
Bankole commended the Ondo State Government for fully funding the exercise, stressing that the training would enhance the capacity of officers to conduct accurate data collection and verification in their respective communities.
He called on corporate bodies, development partners and individuals of goodwill to collaborate with the state in supporting the poor and vulnerable.
In his remarks, the NASSCO Zonal Target Officer for the South-West Zone, Mr Kumosu, commended the Ondo State Government for taking ownership of the social register expansion, describing it as a model for other states.
He explained that while NASSCO manages the national aggregation of registers, each state remains responsible for the development and maintenance of its own database.
Expressing optimism that the ongoing exercise in Ondo State would deepen social inclusion and enhance the accuracy of the national data, he urged participants to deliver on the goals of the project.
Also speaking, the Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Bamidele Daisi, said the training was organised to build the capacity of field officers to collect reliable data across communities.
He noted that the state’s vision is to have a comprehensive database that includes every resident, as vulnerability can affect anyone, regardless of current status.
Daisi explained that the expanded register would serve as a vital compendium for planning, policy formulation and the effective delivery of social welfare programmes in the state.
Participants who spoke at the event commended the initiative and expressed appreciation to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to expanding the social register and fully funding the programme.
Specifically, Mrs Durojaye Roseline from Ifedore Local Government and Mr Bamidele Toba from Ose Local Government described the exercise as a timely intervention that would strengthen the identification of vulnerable groups and ensure that social support reaches genuine beneficiaries.