HURIWA Endorses Senator Nwoko’s Proposal for a National Social Security Agency
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has endorsed Senator Ned Munir Nwoko’s proposal to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with a National Social Security Agency under the Office of the President. This endorsement comes amidst growing concerns over Nigeria’s increasing poverty, unemployment, and general despair among its citizens.
In an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, highlighted the urgent need for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s social safety net. He criticized the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for failing to address the root causes of poverty and social insecurity, proposing instead the establishment of a National Social Security Agency. This new agency, he argues, would offer a more sustainable and dignified solution to social welfare, aligning Nigeria with global best practices in social security management.
HURIWA echoed Senator Nwoko’s concerns, emphasizing that social security is a fundamental right and criticizing the current model of social support. The association described the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as a symbol of a flawed system that provides temporary relief rather than long-term empowerment and self-sufficiency.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA outlined several reasons for supporting Senator Nwoko’s recommendations:
- Shift from Charity to Rights-Based Approach: HURIWA stressed that creating a National Social Security Agency would mark a significant departure from the charity-oriented framework currently in place. Unlike the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which provides short-term aid, the proposed agency would institutionalize a rights-based approach, recognizing Nigerians as citizens with inherent rights rather than dependents on state benevolence.
- Centralized National Social Security Database: The new agency would utilize a centralized database to better identify and address the needs of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, widows, orphans, unemployed, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). HURIWA emphasized that this approach would ensure more effective and sustainable support for these historically marginalized groups.
- Integration of National Identification Number (NIN): HURIWA praised the proposal’s focus on using the NIN to ensure that social security benefits reach those who truly need them. The integration of NIN is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, crucial for reducing fraud and duplication of efforts.
- Sustainable Funding Model: The association supported the proposal’s funding model, which includes a compulsory 5 percent first-line charge deduction from government allocations and contributions from private individuals and businesses. This model is seen as a reliable and robust funding source for the agency, ensuring adequate financing and broad-based support from all sectors of society.
- Addressing Social Unrest: HURIWA highlighted that many of Nigeria’s protests and agitations stem from deep-seated hunger, poverty, and hopelessness. By guaranteeing basic needs like food, shelter, and security, the proposed agency could alleviate these pressures and contribute to a more stable and peaceful society.
HURIWA urged President Tinubu to view the establishment of the National Social Security Agency as a legacy project that would demonstrate his administration’s commitment to social justice and equitable governance. The association believes that this reform could set a new standard for governance in Nigeria and position the President as a champion of the poor and vulnerable.
In conclusion, HURIWA reaffirmed its full support for Senator Nwoko’s proposal and called on President Tinubu to implement this transformative reform. The association believes that the creation of a National Social Security Agency would uplift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, restore their dignity, and lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society.
