Umar Idris Shuaibu – Kano
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) said the Social Protection Bill will contribute positively to the growing needs of society with particular emphasis on children to enable them fulfill their potentials.
UNICEF Social Policy Specialist Kano Field Office, Fatimah Musa made the assertion in an interview with ‘Good Evening Nigeria‘, during a 3-Day Policy Dialogue with Social Protection Parliamentary Forum on Financing for Children in Social Sectors.
Fatimah Musa said the Bill when passed into law will help immensely in poverty reduction, addressing the problem of children, across all the multidimensional poverty dimensions which includes Health, Nutrition, Education, Water, Sanitation, Housing, Housing, Access to information and Child protection.
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Musa added that, Nigeria’s increasing population and widespread poverty necessitated concern from UNICEF in order to reduce the scourge of poverty and improve the general well-being of all Kano residents.
“The bill when passed into law will address many social challenges, because if you look at the content of the bill, it talks about how the Government should establish a Social protection Agency that will have the mandate to coordinate investments in the lives of our children, which will go a long way in improving the quality of their future.
“We solicit more concerted effort from all the stakeholders gathered here especially the SP parliamentary Forum and Executives toward the actualization of the Kano State Social Protection Agency.
“Also, the essence of it is to let the Kano State House of Assembly know the importance attached to the bill, so that when it reaches the floor of the House they will give it all the necessary attention, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist Kano Field Office.
Multidimensional Child Poverty Dimensions
On his part, Member representing Tarauni Local Government in the State House of Assembly, Kabiru Dahiru Sule said the House is fully aware of the bill that incorporates related social agenda paradigms aimed at poverty reduction and life of dignity for all Kano residents.
Kabiru Dahiru Sule, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Forum on Financing for Children in Social Sectors reiterated that the 10th Assembly is committed to articulating policy priorities of the Government toward sustainable development.
The member said ‘development through good health and education, good governance and a sound economic milieu are our target’.
The production of the policy document got support from UNICEF to cushion the effect of poverty in the society.
The document was enriched by input from an array of professionals, technical experts and institutions, as well as leadership from Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget.