By: Monday Munkaila, Gombe
United N Children Fund (UNICEF) has stressed that poverty infringes upon children’s human rights and perpetuates a relentless cycle of deprivation that is challenging to break without adequate support.
UNICEF added that poverty also leads to numerous adverse outcomes for children, including hunger, malnutrition, poor health, and limited or no access to quality education and essential services.
The assertion was made by the Officer in Charge of Bauchi Field Office, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Mohammed Kamfut at the opening of a two-day North-East Nigeria Zonal Policy Dialogue on Social Budgetting for Child-sensitive Sectors held in Gombe on Wednesday.
He stressed that over the past three decades, global efforts have consistently aimed to honor commitments to children which include taking all necessary measures to safeguard and advance their rights, ensuring they have the resources to survive, develop, and thrive, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
According to him, “Since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals at the turn of the Millennium, there has been remarkable progress in reducing poverty and enhancing the living conditions of millions of children and families.”
Represented by Yusuf Auta, Social Policy Specialist, he added that, “However, despite these advancements, many of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged children continue to be left behind.”
“As children grow older and remain in poverty, the impact of these deprivations intensifies, further diminishing their opportunities to reach their full potential,” he stressed.
According to him, “Nigeria’s population is estimated at above 205.9 million, with 49.5 percent (102 million) being children aged 0-17 years. Similar to many African countries, children in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by poverty due to their vulnerable status in society. This has long-term repercussions on their well-being, extending into adulthood.”
The OIC, BFO stressed that,”Despite the global urgency to address poverty, children have often been
overlooked in poverty reduction initiatives. According to the 2020 report on Multidimensional Child Poverty Analysis supported by UNICEF Nigeria, over 47 million children, or approximately 47.4 percent of Nigerian children, live in households with incomes below the national poverty line of 137,430 Naira per year (based on the 2019 exchange rate).”
“Distinguished Commissioners and Partners, you would agree with me that this dialogue is very important to support and advocate to the Government for the well-being of children and the population at large. I believe at the end of the dialogue, we will contribute immensely to the full realization of children’s rights
through, among other things, the improved budgeting and funding of childresponsive interventions which will alleviate poverty which is a major barrier to realizing the rights of all children,”he added.
He further stated that,”I am hopeful that we will achieve many targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending preventable child deaths, ensuring quality basic education for all children, and protecting children from all forms of violence if we make a concerted efforts.”
He expressed hope stating that,”It is my firm belief that this dialogue would effectively secure your commitment to domestic investment for children, system strengthening, capacity building and raising awareness about the deprived status of our children living in poverty taking the actions needed by all State and non-state actors to lift children out of poverty.”
According to him,”Northeastern Nigeria, given the right policies and commitment, has huge resources to ensure children grow up free from poverty, deprivation, and exclusion.”
He stressed that, “This important dialogue brings together a diverse group of stakeholders who are actively engaged in budget development and implementation. Over the next two days, we aim to collaboratively chart a pathway for adequate and sustainable financing of the social sectors in this subregion.”
He concluded stating, “Distinguished Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen let me express our appreciation to the Gombe state government for hosting this gathering. I wish you all fruitful deliberations.”
In their separate remarks, Commissioners of Budget and Economic Planning from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states stressed the importance of adequate budgetting to capture all the needs of the children in all sectors.
They also stressed that the rights of the child must be adequately protected and must be free from any form of violence and discrimination in line with all the global conventions.
