PAST SOCIAL PROTECTION EXPERIENCES Several poverty alleviation policies and programmes implemented by various Nigerian governments in the past had social protection orientation, though they were not so termed. Such programmes include the implementation of the following programmes(though not specifically targeted at the poor) in the states that constituted the former Western Region under the ideology of Awoism: Free education at all levels; Free health services for all, both curative and preventive; Integrated rural development; and Full and gainful employment(Omoboriowo, 1982). The Operation Feed the Nation Programme(OFN) was an agricultural programme of the Federal Government that took place from 1976-80 aimed at increasing local food production. Following from this was the Green revolution programme- a major agricultural policy of the Federal Government which was an aspect of the Fourth Development Plan. It was introduced in April 1980 to enhance self-sufficiency in food production by introducing modern technology into the country's agricultural sector such as high yielding varieties of seeds, fertilisers and tractors(Ogwumike, 2001). 20