UNICEF: 73.9% of children in Jigawa are multi-dimensionally poor "(MICS 6) 2021"
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From Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 6) conducted across the 27 local government areas of Jigawa state revealed that it ranks the highest in terms of poverty compared to other parts of Nigeria.
The reports said about 65% of the Children in the northwest of Nigeria are Multi-dimensionally Poor compared to children in other parts of the country.
The report was revealed on Friday at MDI Dutse, during the launching of the Mics 6 report organized by the state ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in collaboration with UNICEF field office Kano.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah said, the report is a source of concern as it shows the critical situation children are living presently and how they will continue to live in the future.
He said according to the report of the Survey carried out in 2021 which was released in Aug 2022 shows that, 73.9% of children in Jigawa are multi-dimensionally poor.
Rahma added that the high rate shows a striking reality that children’s rights in Jigawa state are not being fulfilled. “Most children in the state are deprived of their basic rights for survival, protection and development”.
Fara said that the state has made a significant progress in some indicators such as child Immunization coverage, from 2011 to 2021, saying It achieved the reduction of under 5 mortality by 37%, according to the report.
Farha said children in Nigeria face severe multi-dimensional deprivations.
The official added that in the Northwest region of Nigeria, almost all states are having multidimensional poverty rates that are higher than the national average.
According to him, about 65% of Northwest children are multidimensionally poor.
According to him in terms of immunisation, MICS Data for 2021 indicate that Jigawa state has made significant improvement in Penta III coverage, while In education, 44% of children that are supposed to be in primary school are still out of school.
The official added that in terms of learning achievement in schools, the MICS 2021 introduced a new foundational learning module that measures the level of foundational numeracy and literacy skills of children between the ages of 7 to 12.
Responding, the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, Alhaji Babangida Umar, expressed concern over some of the outcomes of the survey.
Umar, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning Directorate in the ministry, Aminu Adamu, said Gov Muhammad Badaru of the state has raised concern over the development.
"Concerns were raised on some of the outcomes of this survey at a meeting where his excellency was present.
"His Excellency (Badaru) and others have raised concerns on why despite all efforts of the government some indices or outcomes are very poor.
"Jigawa is second in the country in terms of provisions of potable drinking water, also in the area of health, education and other sectors we're doing our best.
"But still it is being asked why the indices showed that we're doing well," Adamu queried.
According to him, the governor is expected to set up a committee sit with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in order to find out why the negative outcomes were so.
The occasion was attended by critical stakeholders including, political leaders, civil servants, civil society organizations, community leaders, Traditional and religious leaders as well as donor partners.
