The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has successfully organized a comprehensive statewide training workshop for Planners and Statisticians on social protection implementation.

The training aims to enhance the capacity of participants to design, implement, and monitor social protection programs effectively across the state.

This initiative builds on the state's recent achievements in social protection, including the commendation for the quality of data generated through the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) and the Governor's unwavering commitment to social protection,recently acknowledged with the prestigious "Champion of Care: Driving Social Protection with Unwavering Commitment and Exceptional Responsiveness" award from the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Abuja.

The award underscores the state's dedication to enhancing the well-being of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

Seasoned experts facilitated the sessions dissecting pivotal topics such as the overview and concept of social protection, strategic utilization of the LASSR and other critical aspects of social protection implementation, equipping participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to further the course of social development planning in the State.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, the Director of Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPDC), who also serves as the State Coordinator, Lagos State Operations Coordinating Unit (LASOCU) Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, emphasized that "The Lagos State Single Social Register serves as a vital tool for poverty reduction and inclusive growth, enabling targeted support to Poor and Vulnerable Households in the State.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Muhammad Okorie, Programme and Social Policy Manager for UNICEF, noted, "UNICEF remains committed to supporting inclusive development and partnering with the Lagos State Government to improve residents' lives, especially the most vulnerable."

The Director; Budget Department, Mr. Femi Orojimi elucidated on the essence of tracking Government spending on Social Protection programmes across MDAs in the State, 

According to him "it is important that as Statisticians and Planners, we have in-depth knowledge of the process involved in not only the planning but also tracking of the funds disbursed for Social Protection programmes in the State, this engenders accountability and transparency' he averred.

In the same vein, the Director for Economic Planning Department; Mr. Saheed Olowonishaye harped on the importance of the training for Statisticians and Planners across the State, emphasizing how their input can significantly affect the implementation of Social Protection programmes and by extension several members of Poor and Vulnerable Households.

The comprehensive statewide training for statisticians and Planners demonstrates the Lagos State Government's continued commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive environment for her residents to ensure shared prosperity for all.