Stakholders across various sectors in Gombe state, have commended the efforts of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of the state for promoting the wellbeing of children in the state.

Some of stakeholders made the commendation at a two-day validation meeting in Jos.

The meeting was organised by the state's Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordinating Office, supported by the Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Mrs Ruth Baka, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation of the office said that the meeting aimed at validating the Children’s Situation Analysis (SitAn) report developed for the state.

She explained that document was developed in 2022 by stakeholders from various sectors in the state.

''Last year UNICEF supported us to develope the SitAn document and we are here to validate and give it more flesh.

''This document is a guide for the strategic planning process on child-related sectors in the state.

''It has to do with the provision of quality education, protection and rights, health, water and sanitation, food security and safe clean environment for children in the state, among others.

''So, what we are doing in this meeting is to carefully go through the document to check all data presented, references and other information for possible addition or subtraction,''she said.

On his part, Mr Felix Gambo,
Director Planning, Research & Statistics,
Primary Health Care Development Agency of the state, commended the governor for equipping all the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the state.

Gambo noted that by so doing, the governor had demonstrated his willingness to better the lots of women and children in the state, particularly those in rural communities. 

''As we speak, all the PHCs are functional, because the governor has invested heavily to equip those facilities.

''Most of these PHCs are now referral centres because the governor has made delibrate efforts to adequately equip them.

''So, this simply means that the governor means well for women and children in the state,''he said.

Also speaking, Gloria Usman, representative of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said that with the domestication of the Child Right Act (CRA) in the state, the governor had demonstrated his commitment toward the wellbeing of children. 

She particularly commended the governor for ensuring all Almajiri children leave the streets, adding that such move had brought high hope for Gombe children toward a brighter and better future.

''The governor is doing well toward ensuring that an average Gombe child is doing well. 

''He is providing quality education, healthcare, and has put in place other necessary things to improve the wellbeing of the children in the state 

''Today, we don't have almajiri children on the streets of Gombe because the governor has put adequate modalities to cater for their needs.

''The domestication of the CRA, which we in Gombe call Child Protection Law, the future of every child in Gombe is very bright,''she said.

In a brief remarks, Yusuf Auta, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said that the document would help government to plan better.

''This document will play key role in ensuring that the welfare of the child is adequately catered for.

''It will help government to plan better and make appropriate budgetary provisions toward the wellbeing of the child in Gombe,''he said.