By Lukman Olabiyi
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has begun mobilizing stakeholders, particularly in private sector, to support the newly instituted Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund (HPATF).
The HPATF was recently established to respond to humanitarian crises, emergencies and internal displacement challenges, as well as to adequately address the issues of poverty in the country.
According to the minister, the innovation would provide a readily available pool of funds from the government, private sector, other countries, and philanthropic individuals, among others to address the national social safety programmes targeted at poverty alleviation and humanitarian emergencies without bureaucratic bottlenecks, thus setting Nigeria on a global stage for action.
To actualise this, the minister disclosed that serious engagement has begun with the private sector, and others to achieve their buy-in and contributions to the success of the trust fund.
Edu revealed that she had met with the General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, and the Director, Government Affairs of Chevron, Mr Sam Daibo, following a brief engagement with the President of Chevron, Clay Neff, in New York on the side lines of UNGA78.
She said commitment was elicited from Chevron on the expected support to Nigeria on humanitarian and poverty alleviation, especially in the Niger Delta.
However, the minister also stated that a strategic meeting was held with Mr Tobechukwu Okigbo, the Chief Corporate Services Officer of the MTN ahead of the meeting with the MTN Foundation on their support for the trust fund.
He equally added that the Regional Head of the UNHCR, and acting Country Director, has also pledged the global body’s commitment to support the Nigerian government to achieve results.