By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State Single Register of Poor and Vulnerable Households has hit 445,891 members drawn from 129,044 households across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.

 This was disclosed by the State Coordinator, State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Olaoluwa Bankole while speaking with the Community Development Officers (CDOs) from the 18 LGAs and Members of SOCU Staff in a quarterly meeting held in Akure.

Bankole according  to  a release by the Communication Officer of the Agency, Folashade Oladeinde affirmed that the Single Register (SR) is an outcome of a community-driven targeting approach facilitated by the Ondo SOCU of National Social Safety-net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Abuja.

Appreciating the CDOs for the work done as they have all been instrumental to the success of the exercise, Bankole maintained that the principles guiding the activity must at no time be compromised.

He reiterated that, “community members are to use their subjective knowledge to define poverty and recognize poor and vulnerable community members residing in their communities.”

The SC appreciated all organisations that have requested for data from the SR  as beneficiaries are grateful for the various interventions.

He encouraged all to make adequate use of the SR as it is a central database that is not only verifiable but also readily accessible for government, development partners  and individuals who desire to bring succor in whatever form to people under various categories (people living with disabilities, aged, unskilled, skilled youth, under 5  etc).

Sensitising participants on roles of individuals in managing personal security especially at a time when security issues have become so sensitive in the country, Guest Speaker who is a Former Police Public Relations Officer of the State, CSP Femi Joseph, implored all to be conscious of their environment, their discussions and strange happenings around them.

He encouraged all not to be discreet about their movement when visiting unfamiliar places and people.

Speaking on behalf of others, CDO from Akoko North West LGA Mrs Omojola Tolulope said working in various communities with the poor and vulnerable has been a good experience that requires lots of passion, adding that SOCU  staff have always been encouraging, cooperative, describing it as  a great privilege working with them.