Gombe Launches Social Protection Policy
……Social Protection, Key To Development – UNICEF
.…….Inaugurates Economic Intelligence Unit
By Chima Azubuike
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Country Representative
Cristian Munduate, says the key to development is for states to prioritise social protection, alongside education and health.
Mundate, made this assertion during the launching of Gombe Social Protection Policy at the Deputy Governor’s office.
Our Correspondent reports that the Policy document is a mixture of policies and programmes, which ensures protection for women and children faced with high levels of poverty and inequality that increase their protection risks and their vulnerability to disease, death and illiteracy.
According to her, the possibility of Nigeria attaining Sustainable Development Goals maybe difficult, stressing that the policy document is one step closer.
The United Nations chief commended the Gombe State Government for its proactiveness, While urging other states to follow suit through concerted efforts.
She said, “This definitely shows the huge commitment that the State Government has to the people of Gombe. Social Protection is one of the goals of the SDGs and I must also say that Nigeria will not reach many of the SDGs but this is one that has full potential with the lead of Gombe and we hope that many more states will come, learn and have their Social Protection Policy.
“I must say Social Protection along education and health are determinants that allows development. If these three areas are not triangle it is very difficult to bring out those households, families and children who are in extreme poverty or in vulnerable situations.”
Munduate restated her organisation’s resolve in providing the much needed assistance, adding that, “UNICEF is committed as you know to continue working, providing all our knowledge and technical support.”
Performing the task of launching the policy, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, who was represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Jatau, explained that his administration remains committed in supporting the poor and vulnerable especially children.
The Governor noted that Social Protection is one of the best foundations for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
Yahaya said, “Lovers of Gombe State the Social Protection Policy is a laudable initiative of the Federal Government and our dear state to come up with a policy that will impact on the life of the poor and the vulnerable. This protection is necessary on account of recent events and happenings in the environment that are of great threats to the world population particularly the children and women who are the most vulnerable.”
Presenting an overview on the Social Protection policy, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordination office, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed, who was represented by Abubakar Gadam, the office’s Permanent Secretary, disclosed that the Policy fundamental in reducing poverty, eliminating unequal treatment and segregation on the grounds of religion or tribe.
According to him, “It a framework for promoting all inclusiveness, and peaceful co-existence for improved livelihood.”
Meanwhile, the UNICEF Country Representative Munduate, was also present at the official opening of the Economic Intelligence Unit, at Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordination office.
She assured of her Agency’s support to ensuring the optimum performance of the unit, stressing that if properly harnessed would strengthen analysis in the state.
“The Economic Intelligence Unit will further provide evidence and analysis on needs. It will also provide analysis not just the statistics on achievements made or existing bottlenecks that needs necessary decisions and now untie them so that social policies can move ahead. I think it a very integrated approach on unique experience on public administration,” Munduate said.
Mohammed, explained that the unit would help the state with analysis and tracking, adding that if expanded with requisite support of vehicle it would achieve it mandate.
“There are donor funding investments in the past that have not been tracked, so we didn’t capture them in our list of opportunities. We will like to expand the office for us and also if possible assist us with a vehicle because we want to reach the nooks and crannies of the state.”
