(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/WA3-300x192.jpg) A new National Priority Agenda that will comprehensively address the plight of all categories of Nigerian children is to be launched in July this year by President Goodluck Jonathan.
While disclosing this when she received the new UNICEF Country Representative for Nigeria (Ms. Jean Gough) in her office, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina said, the new agenda on children will be multi-sectored in nature and is aligned to Nigeria's Vision 20:2020.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/WA4.jpg)According to the Minister, the purpose of the National Priority Agenda 2013-2020 in Nigeria is to contribute towards the achievement of Vision 20:2020 by reducing children's vulnerability, and eliminating the unfair and avoidable circumstances that deprive children in Nigeria of achieving their maximum potentials.
"That is why", she said, "in implementing the Agenda, concerted efforts will be made to reduce the number of children living in poverty to 15 per cent, and to significantly improve the quality of life and wellbeing of vulnerable children and other children with special needs."
Hajiya Maina observed that poverty is a major contributing factor to children vulnerability that is multi-dimensional in nature and therefore, requires a multi-sectored response. "That is why after the launching of the Agenda by Mr. President and the First Lady in July this year, the document will be presented to the National Council of States for their buy-in"; she stated.
She said, already, nine line-ministries, including NAPEP, National Orientation Agency, National Population Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics will be responsible for implementing the Agenda at the national level.
The Minister solicited for technical and other logistic support from UNICEF towards the successful launching of the new agenda as well as its implementation.
Earlier, the new Country Representative for UNICEF to Nigeria, Ms Jean Gough, commended the Nigerian Government for its great commitment to Child development, especially through multi-sectored approaches. "Your plan to launch a National Priority Agenda on Children is a right step in the right direction. And there is no greater commitment in addressing the plight of children than putting their Agenda in Vision 20:2020 and putting the National Planning Commission at the forefront of its implementation"; she pointed out.
The UN Envoy disclosed that UNICEF will this year give priority attention to the plight of children with disabilities in Nigeria, assuring that her organisation will continue to support Nigeria in its practical determination towards addressing the plight of children and other vulnerable Nigerians.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria