The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Bauchi State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has begun a two-day capacity building for officials of the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on demographic dividend to accelerate economic growth and Development.
Speaking during the commencement of the exercise, Mr Ali Babayo, Permanent Secretary, Bauchi state Ministry of Health, said that the demographic dividend would support the state in formulating its policies and programmes.
He added that it would be a tool for generating statistics and feedback mechanisms in the state.
In his contribution, Mr Saleh Idris, Permanent Secretary, Bauchi state Ministry for Budget and Economic Planning, said the exercise is aimed to build the capacity of officers on developing potentials for harnessing demographic dividend in the state.
“For countries aspiring to harness demographic dividend, they must target policy investment in equitable and inclusive health care services.
“Other targeted investments are Education, skills Development, governance, youth participation, employment and entrepreneurship,” he said.
In his presentation, Mr Dashe Dasogot, UNFPA Assistant Representative, said that the strategies for demographic dividend includes child Survival, child birth spacing and girl child education.