From Richard Adejare, Ilorin
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Kwara state Government to make comprehensive plan on children’s rights and welfare.
Dr Zakari Adam, Chief of Field Office, Kaduna made the call in Ilorin during a two-days meeting for the 2019 Mid-Year Review and planning meeting between Kwara State Government, UNICEF and other stakeholders.
He noted that in the past it is part of UNICEF objectives to cooperate with respective government in ensuring concrete intervention plans about children rights, are fulfilled by countries, states and individuals.
He explained that the International Organisation is in the state in order to carry out a complete planning review of what has been done so far on children’s intervention programmes and what will be executed within the following months of the year 2019.
According to him, UNICEF expected a comprehensive plan with regards to children’s rights and urge government as well as all stakeholders involvement towards ensuring health and well being of children in the state are achieved.
The UNICEF Chief also advised the government on need for data for effective planning and analysis about children, which will assist in getting onboard other stakeholders such as other UN agencies, civil societies, the grass roots and public institutions among others.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Oyelowo, commended UNICEF for returning back to the state, while assuring that collaborations would be strengthened towards achieving the goals of the organization and the state government.
Oyelowo noted that Kwara was one of the beneficiaries of the UNICEF programme years back, but the Organization left when indices indicated things have improved in the state.
He however reiterated that things have deteriorated to a low level in the area of intervention programmes for various sectors that involves the welfare of children in the state.
The Permanent Secretary reiterated the determination of the present administration to pay its counterpart funds so as to assist the global organizations in it intervention programmes for children and women.
Dr Stanley Garuba, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in the UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, explained that the global body usually set parameters in ascertaining how it has fared in various areas of its intervention
Speaking on the objective of the programme, Stanley explained that the programme is review progress delivery of of and achievement results for children as at june 2019 compare to the annual targets in the state.
According to him, the programme is to identify and discuss key issues hindrance the delivery result for children across board.
Stanley therefore urged the participants to work harder for the success of the review meeting which be the focus for programme. Some of the stakeholders at the meetings included the Ministry health, Ministry of Education, the Media and Ministry of Planning and Economic Development among others.
