UNICEF conducts policy reforms meeting for social sector financing in the Northeast.

BY UMAR MUHAMMAD SHIRA.

Policy reforms towards meeting up social sector financing has been recommended for governments in the North-East sub-region as one of the strategies for addressing multidimensional development challenges in the area.

The Deputy Governor of Gombe State Dr. Manaseh Daniel Jatau, made the recommendation while declaring opened, a two day policy dialogue aimed at improving child development financing for northeast sub-region held in Gombe.

Dr Daniel Jatau, said indices of development remained poorest in the region including socio-economic and culture, suggesting the utmost need for joint effort to remedy the trend.

He commended UNICEF for initiating the policy discourse which he said will provide better atmosphere for honest and open assessment of situation and fashioning out a workable roadmap for the region’s sustainable develooment especially, with regards to social sectors funding.

Speaking at the meeting, Commissioners of Budget and economic planning from Gombe and Bauchi states, Alhaji Salihu Baba Alkali and Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Hammayo, both commended Unicef Nigeria and other development partners for their interest in national planning and social protection of the citizens particularly, women and children.

In a Goodwill message, UNICEF Officer in-charge, of Bauchi field office, Mr. Mohammed Kamput, represented by the social Policy specialist, Dr Yusuf Auta, said the policy dialogue initiative was driven by the quest to change planning mechanism to a more result oriented and a broader focus to the citizens welfare as a means of human right and empowerment.

The two day meeting gathered top policy makers from the northeast states where they reviewed situations around budget allocation to key social sectors of education, health, children welfare, youth, women, and sports.

Participants in attendance include commissioners from the affected ministries, permanent secretaries, head of key MDAs and media representatives.