Gombe among states with lowest poverty rate in North-East – UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) said Gombe has the lowest poverty rate in the North-East subregion, this is as poverty continues to ravage most parts of Northern Nigeria.

This was revealed in the National Bureau of Statistics report by UNICEF.

Mr Yusuf Auta, the Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office disclosed this while speaking during the Gombe State Social Protection Policy Implementation Plan and Budget Development workshop.

He lauded the state government for the various interventions geared towards uplifting its citizens.

READ ALSO: Dangote committed to bridging unemployment gap

Auta said, “Gombe State is one of the states with the lowest poverty rate in the North-East according to the 2019 Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria by the National Bureau of Statistics, 2020.”

He explained that the figures were also captured in the state’s social protection policy document recently developed.

Auta also stated that there is multi-dimensional poverty among children in Gombe state like all states in Nigeria. He explained that a child is multi-dimensionally poor if deprived in any three of the following: nutrition, health, water, sanitation, education, housing and information.

He said, “With the effort of the State Government as clearly expressed and visioned in its social protection policy document of providing “Better life for all,” the children of the state will grow in an environment that will enable them to compete favourably with children all over the world.”

Auta commended the state government for developing the policy document, adding that it would place the state on the path of growth and development. He said that the policy would promote the well-being of children and women in the state if implemented.

“UNICEF is happy to be part of this process because it affects the lives of women and children. UNICEF pays attention to women and children because it is the credo of development.

“Social protection policy provides the platform for UNICEF to support women and children to have a better life”.

“So, we are here to come up with an implementation plan which will be in accordance with the budget provision of the state,” he said.

Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:

Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com