(ii) Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme(RIDS) which dealt with the provision of potable and irrigation water, transport(rural and urban), rural energy and power support; (iii) Social Welfare Service Scheme(SOWESS) which addressed special education, primary healthcare services, food security provisions, micro and macro credits delivery, rural telecommunications facilities, and provision of mass transit; and (iv) Natural Resource Development and Conservation Scheme (NRDCS) which dealt with harnessing agriculture, water and solid minerals. The 2004 National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy(NEEDS) focused on Nigeria's commitment to sustainable growth, and poverty reduction. NEEDS was anchored on three pillars: 1) empowering people and improving social service delivery; 2) fostering economic growth, in particular in the non-oil private sector; and 3) enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of government, while improving governance. The National Planning Commission(NPC) drafted a social protection strategy in 2004, while the National Social Insurance Trust Fund drafted a social security strategy in 2009. However, both strategies did not acquire the much needed political will to transit 23