The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has urged the Kano state government to pilot the universal child benefit.
The Social Policy Specialist UNICEF Kano field office ,Hajiya Fatima Musa made the call during a one-day Q-1 review and coordination meeting on social protection programs with the state technical working committee group, held in Kano.
According to her, by piloting the universal child benefit, Kano state would be the first in the country as many countries have been engaged in the program to uplift the standard of living among children.
She stressed that by passing the bill , children below the age of eighteen years would have access to what they have been deprived of and pave the way for them to explore their potential and achieve what they needed to develop fully.
Fatima pointed out that, the meeting was organized to review progress, challenges and profer lasting solutions.
“most of the MDAs have made their presentations, some have achieved a lot while others could not make it due to lack of funds “
The social policy specialist hinted that part of the recommendations includes improving the capacity of MDAs on social protection, as well as enlightening the commissioners on the need for political will to move social protection forward.
Dalhatu Danladi from the Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget said the ministry had mandated ministries and departments (MDAs), in the state to capture social protection intervention in their proposed estimate.
He maintained that the state has initiated various programs ranging from social insurance, social care service delivery, and labour market interventions where youths are trained on entrepreneurship and vocational skills to make them self-reliant.
The chairman of the Kano state social protection platform, Salisu Yusuf noted that they work to ensure that, children and the vulnerable are not left behind.
He said they are being supported in the areas of health, education, environment, shelter, and all that it takes to enjoy the dividend of democracy.
Radio Nigeria reports that the event tagged a one day 2024 Q-1 review and coordination meeting on social protection programs with the state technical working group, was organized by the Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget (MoPB), with support from UNICEF.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
