Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ishola Michael
Published on 2024-03-10 09:31:01
The United Nations Children Fund, commonly known as UNICEF, has expressed concern over the significant number of Nigerian children who experience poverty and deprivation across various aspects of their lives. In a recent statement, UNICEF highlighted that Nigerian children make up more than half of the country’s total population and are essential for the nation’s future.
UNICEF pointed out that Nigerian children face multiple challenges that prevent them from accessing basic rights such as healthcare, education, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, housing, and a safe environment. These deprivations hinder their overall well-being and limit their potential for a bright future. The organization emphasized the importance of addressing children’s needs and rights across different social sectors to ensure their comprehensive welfare.
According to UNICEF, multidimensional child poverty, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goes beyond just income levels to include factors like access to education, healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and overall quality of life. SDG 1.2 specifically aims to reduce poverty in all its forms, including multidimensional child poverty.
UNICEF is focusing on the states of Bauchi, Gombe, and Adamawa, which fall under the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office (BFO), to analyze the state of child poverty in these regions. To facilitate discussions on this critical issue, UNICEF is organizing a media dialogue at the Evolution Hotel in Gombe, Gombe State, scheduled to take place from March 11-14, 2024.
During the dialogue, participants will delve into the implications of child poverty on children’s well-being and future prospects, as well as its broader impact on national and regional socio-economic development. The event will also explore potential strategies that government agencies and stakeholders can implement to address child poverty in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the BFO states.
Attendees can expect to gain insight into the complexities of child poverty and are encouraged to utilize their respective media platforms to advocate for action to combat child poverty in the BFO region. The dialogue will feature UNICEF Technical Experts, government representatives, and academic scholars as resource persons to provide their expertise on the topic.
Overall, the media dialogue organized by UNICEF aims to raise awareness about the pressing issue of child poverty in Nigeria and stimulate collaborative efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable children in the BFO states. By tackling child poverty comprehensively, stakeholders can work towards creating a better future for all Nigerian children.
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