A recent situational analysis conducted by the United Nations Children Fund UNICEF says 50.8 percent of children in Kaduna State are faced with multidimensional poverty which prevent them from achieving their potentials in the state.
UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Kaduna Field office Hajiya Ramatu Budah Aliyu stated this at the launch of the Situation Analysis Report of Children in Kaduna State.
She said the situation analysis of children is a core mandate of the UNICEF to enable all stakeholders use the information obtained to understand the issues and challenges so as to proffer solutions.
Hajiya Ramatu Budah Aliyu maitained that UNICEF has been working with the state government to see the actual situation of children, reasons why the situation is what it is and the viable solutions to the identified causes.
She observed that the challenges and solutions to children’s issues are not one way traffic but involves parents, Government, the Civil society and private sectors.
Hajiya Ramatu Budah Aliyu emphasized that Kaduna has done a lot in the areas of free education and health care but more needs to be done in the areas of excluded population and internally displaced community.
She noted that UNICEF’s desire was to have a society where every Child is given protection regardless of where they come from.
According to her, UNICEF considers the document as critical to addressing the issues of children.
In a remark, the state commissioner Ministry for Budget and planning Hajiya Umma Aboki said the state is working with UNICEF and other stakeholders for protection of children’s rights and for them to achieve their full potentials.
Represented by the permanent Secretary Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, she stated the situation analysis shows that 89.4 % of children from ages 5 to 12 live below the poverty line, and that government has started implementing recommendations of the report.
The commissioner urged all stakeholders to use the report as a guide in program implementation to improve living standards of children.
In their goodwill messages, Civil Society Organizations, Alive and thrive, CS son and Nutrition Society of Nigeria said children have a right not only to live but to live healthy life and also expressed commendation for the document aimed at planning to improve children’s living standard.
The situation analysis, part of which is mined from National Demographic and Health Survey 2018 captures educational status of children, their health indices, poverty level, nutrition, water and sanitation.
Cover/Shindong Bala
