Local Government Chairman Calls for Action on Poverty Program Awareness
The Executive Chairman of Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area in Kogi State, Cosmos Ataboh, has issued a strong challenge to civil society organizations operating in the state. He has demanded they significantly increase their public awareness campaigns regarding poverty alleviation programs initiated by the state government.
During a Community Outreach Programme organized by a consortium led by ACT NAIJA PROJECT and co-founded by the European Union (EU) on November 24, 2025, Ataboh expressed serious concern. He revealed that many less-privileged citizens who should benefit from social security protection programs remain completely unaware of their existence.
Available Social Welfare Services Unknown to Many
In his remarks at the event, Chairman Ataboh highlighted several social welfare facilities that are currently available but underutilized. "There are a number of social welfare facilities like Conditional Cash Transfer, free legal services, free medical services for pregnant women, student loans and other social welfare services," he stated.
He further explained the core problem: "The poor and less-privileged members of the state that are meant to enjoy these poverty alleviation facilities are not even aware due to a lack of proper information awareness." This information gap, according to the council boss, prevents the intended beneficiaries from accessing crucial support systems designed to improve their living conditions.
Community Outreach as Solution Platform
The council chairman specifically used the platform provided by the ACT NAIJA-organized Community Outreach Programme to amplify his message. "That is why I'm using the opportunity of this Community Outreach Programme by ACT NAIJA and other civil society organisations to call for increased public awareness in the rural communities," Ataboh emphasized.
He stressed that "The people need to be told how to access these poverty alleviation programs" through targeted information campaigns that reach the grassroots level where these services are most needed.
Supporting this viewpoint, Halima Oyiza Sadiq, the State Coordinator of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), noted in her opening address that such outreach initiatives provide valuable opportunities to bridge the gap between government and citizens.
The traditional ruler, Etemahi Igalamela, represented by Chief James Abuja, described the outreach as both an eye-opener and empowerment tool for the people, rightly noting that "information is power" when it comes to accessing government services.
