
By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has declared that Population and data is key in all its programmes, in leaving no one behind and in achieving its transformative agenda.
The declaration was made by Deborah Tabara, Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA Nigeria, when She delivered remarks at the inarguration of the Bauchi State Consultative Committee on Statistics responsible for managing the State Statistical System held on Thursday at the Conference Hall of Development Exchange Centre (DEC), Bauchi.
Deborah Tabara who is the Bauchi State UNFPA Programme Officer, stressed that, “It is clear that the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on the availability of fundamental data on population size, growth, distribution, and characteristics of populations, at all levels -local, national, regional, and international level, to monitor the progress made.”
According to her, “The State Bureau for Statistics plays a vital role in producing the official statistics and providing fundamental information for programme development, implementation and measuring progress towards the overall development of the state.”
“In the spirit of partnership and cooperation, UNFPA is committed to working closely with government through the Bureau for Statistics,” She assured.
Deborah Tabara stressed that, “We therefore commend the Bauchi State Bureau for Statistics for this initiative to convene this meeting towards achieving effective coordination and enhancing strategy for development in Bauchi State.”
According to her, “Data will be made available for evidence-based programming and policy, improved understand of population dynamics, socio- economic development of the state, and for tracking the progress towards the SDGs, but also for the present government to achieve a worthy legacy for the country’s future.”
“I wish the State Bureau for Statistics a successful meeting that will lay a solid foundation for a credible and sustainable coordination and development,” She concluded.