The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Edo State on Special Duties, Mr. Alex Uriesi Aarebamen, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to forge strategic partnerships for the Resisting Initiation Securing Education initiative, popularly known as Project R.I.S.E.
The high-level engagement was aimed at introducing the Project to the NSITF leadership and exploring collaborative opportunities to scale youth-centered interventions across Nigeria.
Mr. Uriesi was received by the Managing Director/CEO of NSITF, Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, who was joined by a delegation of senior officials including Mrs. Chika Onyewuchi (GM, Informal Economy), Mr. Tony Eke (GM, Health, Safety & Environment), Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnaike Esq., mni (GM, Claims & Compensation), and Mr. Dayo Alao (Technical Assistant to the MD).
In his presentation, Mr. Uriesi outlined the core objectives of Project R.I.S.E—a youth-focused initiative aimed at combating cultism, promoting education, and providing mentorship and support for at-risk youths in Edo State and beyond. He stressed the urgency of multi-sectoral collaboration to safeguard the future of Nigeria’s younger generation.
“Project R.I.S.E. is more than an initiative—it is a movement to save lives, uplift communities, and restore the value of education and safety among our youth,” Uriesi said. “With NSITF’s national presence and social mandate, we see a natural partnership in driving this vision forward.”
In his speech, Barr. Faleye lauded the initiative, describing it as both “timely and laudable,” especially in its focus on reducing youth vulnerability. He assured the SSA of NSITF’s commitment to supporting Project R.I.S.E., noting that while the Fund’s primary mandate revolves around workplace safety and social insurance, its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda aligns closely with youth welfare and national development goals.
“We believe Project R.I.S.E. directly aligns with our CSR objectives, particularly in supporting youth safety, welfare, and development. We are open to exploring partnership opportunities not only at the federal level but also through our state offices, especially in Benin where we have an active presence,” Faleye affirmed.
The meeting concluded with mutual commitments to explore collaborative initiatives, leverage NSITF’s technical resources, and jointly amplify the impact of Project R.I.S.E. across communities in Nigeria.
As Project R.I.S.E. continues to garner national attention, it stands out as a bold and transformative platform to combat harmful societal pressures, improve access to education, and foster safer communities. The Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties has reaffirmed its dedication to building strategic alliances with key agencies to deepen the project’s reach and sustainability.
