The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday said the review of its 2016 action plans on health, nutrition, water, sanitation and child protection was for improved performance.
Dr Abdulai Kaikai, the UNICEF Chief in Bauchi Field Office, made the assertion at a meeting with stakeholders in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the states under the Bauchi Field Office of UNICEF include Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Adamawa, Jigawa and Taraba.
NAN also reports that the meeting would hold in two segments and last for five days.
Kaikai said that the review was critical toward achieving better quality of life for Nigerian children.
He said that it would also enable UNICEF and its implementing partners to identify the challenges encountered during the year under review, and as well factor out ways of addressing them.
Kaikai said, “This meeting is very important because, in development work, review of actual implementation action plans remain sacrosanct.
“This will help us to identify the results achieved and constraints in implementing the key activities, as well as identifying possible emerging challenges.
“If the challenges are identified, we can factor out ways of addressing them for better results to be achieved in the future.’’
The UNICEF officer said that the meeting would also deliberate on the action plans for its activities in 2017.
“New action plans for 2017 will be developed at this meeting because, we need to align UNICEF’s supported programmes with the priorities of government.
“We want the activities of UNICEF and its implementing partners, which are agreed to be carried out in 2017, to be factored into the state government’s budget.
“I am optimistic that this meeting will yield positive results, that if implemented, will improve the lives of women and children across the states within the jurisdiction of the field office,’’ the officer said.
He commended the Plateau Government for its support, especially in the prompt release of its counterpart funding.
Kaikai urged the state government to do more in the area of ameliorating the plights of vulnerable women and children.
Declaring the meeting open, the Secretary to Plateau Government, Mr Rufus Bature, said the state government was committed to ensuring that children have a better future.
According to him, the prompt release of the counterpart funds was part of the efforts.
He commended UNICEF and other international organisations for working tirelessly to enhance the living standard of children and women. (NAN)