New national priority agenda for children underway, says Minister

[PeoplesDaily]

By Maryam Garba Hassan

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said that arrangements have been concluded to launch a new National Priority Agenda that will comprehensively address the plight of all categories of Nigerian in July this year.

A statement in Abuja by the Director of Press at the Ministry, Saghir el Mohammed, said that the Minister made the disclosure when she received the new UNICEF Country Representative for

Nigeria, Ms. Jean Gough, in her office at the weekend.

Maina said the new Agenda on children will be multi-sectoral and aligned to Nigeria's Vision 20:2020.

According to her, the purpose of the National Priority Agenda 2013-2020 in the country is to contribute towards the achievement of Vision 20:2020 by reducing children's vulnerability and eliminating unfair and avoidable circumstances that deprive them of achieving their maximum potentials.

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.

"That is why after the launch of the Agenda by the President and his wife in July this year, the document will be presented to the National Council of States for their buy-in", she said.

Earlier, the UNICEF Country commended the Nigerian government for its commitment to child development, especially through multi-sectoral approaches. "Your plan to launch a National Priority Agenda on Children is a right step in the right direction," she said.

The post New national priority agenda for children underway, says Minister appeared first on Peoples Daily Newspaper, Nigeria.

Peoples Daily Newspaper