United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has lamented that a significant percentage of Nigerian children experience poverty or deprivation across various dimensions.
UNICEF in a statement stressed that Nigerian children, constituting over half of the country’s total population, represent a crucial asset for the nation’s future.
It further lamented that Nigerian children face multiple deprivations that hinder their access to fundamental rights, such as health, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, housing, information, a safe environment and other limitations.
It added that the rights and needs of children span across various social sectors, emphasizing the importance of addressing their welfare comprehensively.
According to UNICEF, multidimensional child poverty within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes that poverty is not solely measured by income levels but encompasses various dimensions such as access to education, healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, and overall well-being.
It also stressed that SDG 1.2 specifically targets the reduction of poverty in all its dimensions, including multidimensional child poverty.
It then asked, “So how are Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states in UNICEF Bauchi Field Office (BFO) faring in the context of child poverty?”
Consequently, in order to discuss the issues, UNICEF is organizing a media dialogue as scheduled to hold at the Evolution Hotel Gombe, Gombe State from 11-14, March 2024.
At the dialogue, participants will learn how child poverty is a major threat to children’s well-being and future; how child poverty adversely impacts national, and regional socio-economic development and what approaches government and stakeholders can employ to address child poverty in Nigeria and specifically in BFO states.
After the dialogue, participants will have knowledge on child poverty and will be expected to employ their respective media platforms to stir public and policy action towards tackling child poverty in the BFO region.
Resource persons will include UNICEF Technical Experts, representatives from the government, and academic experts.
