HURIWA expresses support for Senator Nwoko’s proposal to establish a Social Security Agency and calls on President Tinubu to take decisive action.
Senator Ned Nwoko’s suggestion to create a National Social Security Agency under the Office of the President, in place of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has received robust support from The Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA).
Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA signed a statement on Monday. He emphasized in the announcement that their endorsement showcases Nigeria’s need to reconsider its social welfare approach as people are facing escalating poverty rates, extensive unemployment and constant feeling of hopelessness among citizens.
The need for a significant restructuring of Nigeria’s social safety net was highlighted by Senator Nwoko, who represents the Delta North Senatorial District, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu as noted by the group.
Despite its good intentions, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has been unable to tackle poverty and social insecurity at their source according to his argument. The senator put forward a recommendation for the establishment of a National Social Security Agency that could offer more lasting solutions with greater dignity within Nigeria’s welfare system in line with global standards.
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Senator Nwoko’s sentiments were reiterated by HURIWA, emphasizing that every Nigerian citizen has the fundamental right to social security.
The association censured the prevailing social support model, denoting it as a condescending and belittling approach that fosters reliance. HURIWA contended that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs represents this defective structure where provisional alleviation strategies have substituted sustained autonomy and self-reliance.
There were multiple justifications presented by HURIWA for President Tinubu to execute Senator Nwoko’s proposals.
The organization stressed the importance of establishing a National Social Security Agency as it would mark an essential departure from Nigeria’s present social welfare system, which leans towards charitable activities. Unlike the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs that offers quick fixes to emergency situations, this new agency will lay down policies and measures based on fundamental rights aimed at rehabilitating disadvantaged Nigerians back into society with dignity; rather than merely viewing them as recipients depending entirely on government aid.
HURIWA emphasized the benefits of implementing a proposed agency that would utilize a centralized National Social Security Database to better identify and address the needs of Nigeria’s vulnerable populations – such as the elderly, disabled, widows, orphans, unemployed individuals,and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These historically marginalized groups stand to gain significant support from an effectively structured system aimed at providing long-term sustainable assistance instead of temporary measures that often miss those most requiring aid.
HURIWA commended the proposal for prioritizing the utilization of precise and current data, enabled by National Identification Number (NIN), as a means to guarantee that social security benefits are received by those truly in need. The organization stressed on the criticality of dependable data to thwart fraudulence, minimize duplications, and maintain optimal use of resources. By incorporating NIN into the setup for social security provisions, HURIWA contended that it would boost openness and responsibility- two principal aspects currently missing from this mechanism.
HURIWA supported Senator Nwoko’s proposal, which emphasized the importance of a sustainable funding model for the National Social Security Agency. The association agreed that implementing compulsory first-line charge deductions at 5% from federal, state and local government allocations in conjunction with voluntary contributions from individuals and businesses would provide a strong financial base to support the agency. HURIWA asserted that such an approach guarantees sufficient financing and extensive backing across diverse segments of society for this essential social security system.
According to HURIWA, Nigeria’s proposed National Social Security Agency could address the root causes of social unrest in the country by tackling issues such as hunger, poverty and hopelessness. The organization indicated that many current protests and agitations stem from these underlying problems. By ensuring access to basic necessities like food, shelter, and security, the agency is predicted to ease some of this pressure while also promoting a more stable society through peaceful means instead resorting towards desperate measures for survival. Overall,HURIWA believes this can lead citizens feeling assured about having their fundamental needs met which would result in constructive citizen engagement with national development efforts rather than desperation-driven actions.
HURIWA appealed to President Tinubu to consider the creation of a National Social Security Agency as an enduring project that would signify his government’s dedication towards social justice and equitability in governance. The organization suggested that this reform could establish higher benchmarks for administration in Nigeria, making the president an advocate for disadvantaged individuals. HURIWA emphasized that by pursuing such a courageous act, President Tinubu shall be acclaimed as a leader who sympathized with and responded adequately to his constituents’ requirements.
To sum up, HURIWA restated its endorsement of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko’s proposal to substitute the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with a National Social Security Agency that would operate under the Office of the President. The organization urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to capitalize on this chance and execute an innovative reform that could improve countless Nigerians’ economic status, replenish their pride, and establish a more fair and ethical society foundation.
