The Bauchi State government has expressed readiness to ensure accurate demographics to achieve sustainable social and economic development of the state.

Governor Bala Mohammed stated this at the inauguration of a one-day sensitisation and capacity-building workshop on demographic dividend for commissioners, heads of agencies and traditional leaders on Wednesday in Bauchi.

The exercise was being organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Represented by Aminu Hammayo, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Mohammed said the state government was taking a great stride to key into the roadmap toward harnessing demographics in the country.

Mr Mohammed said the measure strategically highlighted critical demographic trends and investment in policies to promote reproductive health, education, employment and entrepreneurship, governance and youth participation.

He stated that this was in line with the 2030 agenda for attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focused on the availability of vital data on population and gender at all levels.

Mr Mohammed said the SDGs also aimed at identifying strategic approaches and priorities in designing interventions for measuring progress towards harnessing the dividends of the youthful population.

The governor lauded the UNFPA for its commitment to the partnership with the state government.

“They did not only respond but have remained consistent; their indefatigable efforts to ensure women and young people are empowered to live life to the fullest are commendable and appreciated. Our government is committed to working closely with development partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure multisectoral partnership in harnessing the potential of its vibrant youthful population.

“I urge all heads of agencies, traditional leaders, the private sector, academia and all relevant stakeholders to commit to this event and intensify accountability through evidence-based programming toward harnessing the demographic dividend of Bauchi State,” he said.

The Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Amina Katagum, said the state government was deliberate in its programmes toward harnessing its demographic dividend.

She said that part of the mandate of the ministry was to ensure interventions by respective MDAs translate into an overall development of the state population, in line with the National Road Map and the governor’s development plan.

Earlier, Deborah Tabara, representative of the UNFPA, said the agency had been conducting advocacies since the rollout of the road map to harness demographic dividend through investments in young people in 2017.

She said the campaign aimed at strengthening national and sub-national capacities for programming to accelerate harnessing the demographic dividend for sustainable development.

She added, “So far, eight states have customised the roadmap for harnessing their demographic dividends. We are excited that Bauchi State has also keyed into this initiative since 2023, when we had a similar meeting like this with MDAs.’’

(NAN)