The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation represented by Director Social Welfare and Child, Mr. Michael Kurubor, giving a welcome address
In collaboration with Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, with support from USAID under LOPIN-2 project, held a meeting on Orphans and Vulnerable Children Baseline Survey (OVCBS) dissemination. The meeting held on August 23, 2017 at 9am in Port Harcourt, Rivers state with a purpose of sharing findings from the baseline survey with stakeholders in order to deliberate and reflect on OVC situation and identify appropriate strategies that will guide OVC service delivery in Rivers state. The meeting was attended by 86 participants from government ministries, civil society organizations, community representatives and traditional rulers. Also present at the meeting were journalists who covered the event and interviewed caregivers and vulnerable children present.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation represented by Director Social Welfare and Child, Mr. Michael Kurubor gave a welcome speech and declared the event opened. Mr. Kurubor applauded WEWE-LOPIN2 efforts in calling for such a meeting to share the baseline survey findings on OVC issues in the state. The Perm Sec. highlighted government of Rivers state efforts in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of OVC in the state. He added that the baseline survey meeting is a platform where all stakeholder will gain increased knowledge and understanding of OVC issues as well as make commitment to secure better future for children in Rivers state.
WEWE Chief of Party: Josephine Ogazi delivering her Speech at the event
WEWE Chief of Party, Josephine Ogazi also gave a speech during the meeting, highlighting findings from the baseline survey and urging stakeholders to participate in ensuring that OVC needs in rivers states are attended to.
A report summarizing findings from the 2016 Orphans and Vulnerable Children Baseline Survey (OVCBS) implemented by the Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE) in Rivers State was given during the dissemination meeting by WEWE Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Dr. Charles Uzondu. Key findings from the report stated that there are high levels of school drop-out among orphans and vulnerable children in Rivers State and as such,
WEWE M&E Director, Dr. Charles Uzondu, Presenting on OVCBS
stakeholders are encouraged to look into enrolling students back into school. After the meeting, a communique was reached and adopted by the stakeholders. Journalists from Vanguard Newspaper, Daily Trust, National Television Authority and Cool FM attended and covered the meeting.
WEWE-LOPIN2 beneficiary Responding to the media
Highlights of the meeting came from beneficiaries sharing testimonies of health care, nutrition and financial empowerment provided to them through WEWE LOPIN2 project in Rivers State.
