Nigerian Governors call for United Nations support in addressing developmental challenges

The Governors from the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria on Friday called on the United Nations (UN) to support their states to deal with the numerous developmental challenges they are facing.

Penpushing reports that the Governors made the appeal when they met with the United Nations (UN) Country Team led by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall at the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja

The Chaiman of the Northwest Governors Forum and the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, led other Governors in the zone, including Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani; Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf; Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi; Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir; and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to the meeting.

Penpushing further reports that the Governors highlighted the major challenges faced by the region, including insecurity, multidimensional poverty, a large population of out-of-school children, increased cases of illicit drug abuse, high child and maternal mortality, and a large youth population that is unemployed.

The statement by the National Information Officer United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Dr Seyi Soremekun stated that the Governors indicated that nearly 80% of the population derive their livelihoods from agriculture.

Penpushing also reports that they explained that the states face the challenges of land degradation and climate change which has reduced their yields, and equally highlighted the high levels of child malnutrition.

The spokesperson of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in the statement added that the Governors emphasized that they are committed to providing a strong political support needed to ensure United Nations (UN) interventions in the North-West are implemented with speed and at scale.

‘The only way we can surmount the challenges of Northwest is through a regional approach which demands that we work together in a coordinated manner. We need to collectively fight poverty and unemployment being the major root causes of insecurity in the region”, the Governors stated.

Penpushing reports that the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator expressed his delight at receiving six of the seven Governors in the zone and he assured that the United Nations(UN) family would support the Northwest region to address those development challenges.

The Resident Coordinator pointed out that with the varied high levels of multidimensional poverty, the sustainable development goals would only be achieved in Nigeria if the North-West got it right, and this in turn would impact positively on the African region.

“The UN in Nigeria is encouraged to see the strong leadership and commitment of Northwest Governors to improving the wellbeing of their people.  We will continue to support the government and people of Northwest Nigeria. Together, we will rescue and accelerate the agenda 2030 for sustainable development in the region.” Fall said.

Penpushing further reports that he informed the Governors that the United Nations(UN) has embarked on acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs through a focus on six key areas including food systems, education, social protection and jobs, energy access, climate change, and digital transformation.

Meanwhile, Soremekun in the statement disclosed that it was agreed at the meeting that a roadmap for action will be developed by technical teams from the UN and the seven states, through a framework of United Nations (UN) support to the region.

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