The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Nigeria presents SDGs National Voluntary Reviews to UN

    Nigeria presents SDGs National Voluntary Reviews to UN

    Nigeria has presented its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2017 National Voluntary Reviews to the UN High-level Political Forum.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, while presenting the reviews, said the report provided information on progress and status of implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria.

    “It highlights key policy, institutional and regulatory measures put in place to create necessary enabling environment for mainstreaming of SDGs in national policies, plans and programmes, and its coherent coordination.”

    She said the report was the outcome of wide consultations with stakeholders drawn from line ministries, civil society organisations, organised private sector, academia, development partners, youth groups, women organisations, persons with disability and media organisations.

    Orelope-Adefulire, who is a former Deputy-Governor of Lagos State, said Nigeria had key success to celebrate on SDGs.

    She cited the establishment of multi-layer and multi-cluster institutional frameworks for enhanced coordination and SDGs mainstreaming process as a key success.

    “The President has appointed a Senior Special Assistant on SDGs, whose office is responsible for ensuring horizontal and vertical coherence between development policies, plans and strategies.

    “Similarly, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the SDGs has been established and operational guidelines for the same developed to guide the coordinated engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    “Structures are being established at the sub-national (State) level,” she said.

    According to her, to fully harness the resources and ideas of, and effectively engage other stakeholders, a Private Sector Advisory Group and a Donors’ Forum on the SDGs have been inaugurated.

    “The CSOs group on SDGs is already working towards some SDGs targets, with giant stride on inclusive education in collaboration with the Joint Association of Persons with Disability and Women 2030 in Nigeria.”

    To enhance the legislative and oversight roles of Parliamentarians on SDGs implementation process, she said two select committees on SDGs have been established in the Senate and House of Representatives.

    The presidential aide assured the international community that good policy and planning framework presently existed in Nigeria.

    “The recently-launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, on which the current medium and short terms budgeting frameworks are based is aligned to the SDGs.

    “Similarly, many of the current State Development Plans, including the Benue, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra sand Delta among others, are aligned to the SDGs.

    “The alignment aid planning, monitoring and evaluation of SDG implementation while SDGs data mapping exercise has been concluded and a data supply responsibility framework agreed upon.”

    The presidential aide said the SDGs had identified and targeted the poor and vulnerable people in Nigeria.

    “This has been achieved through the establishment of a ‘National Social Register’ for poor and vulnerable households.

    “There is a monthly conditional cash transfer of N5,000 to such households as part of a national social safety net programme,” she said.

    Orelope-Adefulire, however, pointed out that Nigeria had some challenges in the implementation of the SDGs.

    “Reliance on oil and gas sector, dwindling agricultural production and productivity and limited value addition in the agricultural sector to grow the economy, jobs creation, addressing poverty and ensuring food security remain critical challenges.”

    According to her, the economic recession in the country, due to fluctuating oil price in the international market and the humanitarian crisis in the North East of the country, present unique challenges to achieving the SDGs.

    She called on the international community, donor agencies and partners to support the country in mobilising adequate financial and other resources.

    “However, the country has advanced on curbing illicit financial flow and asset recovery, which will enhance effort on resource mobilisation for implementation of the SDGs.

    “Technology transfer and capacity building on inter alia, data, information and performance management will be needed to support SDGs implementation,” she said.

  • Foundation coordinates development programmes worth $700m in 45 countries

    Foundation coordinates development programmes worth $700m in 45 countries

    The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has  coordinated development programmess worth more than 700 million dollars across 45 countries in the past 20 years.

    According to a statement from the AU Commission on Tuesday, Executive Secretary, ACBF, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, said this at the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU.

    The AU formally endorsed ACBF as its specialised agency for capacity development following the Resolutions of the 28th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in January.

    Nnadozie said: “We do accept with humility, this endorsement of the African Union which is a clear pointer to the fact that for the past 26 years, ACBF has undoubtedly proved, through its work, to be Africa’s knowledge and capacity building service provider of choice.

    “In over two decades, we have robustly coordinated capacity development programmes worth over 700 million dollars across 45 countries,

    “We have also helped to set up over 40 reliable policy think tanks that advise African governments on the policies to implement to drive development through capacity development.

    “Our production of several hundred evidence-based knowledge products on Africa’s capacity needs, and on practical trajectories has proved to be fundamental.

    “We have made a solid promise to deliver even more for the continent in our 2017 to 2021 Business Strategy. “

    He added that the strategy would be based on facilitating effective development delivery and supporting countries to achieve tangible development results.

    He further said strategy would also focus on enhancing the private sector and civil society to contribute to sustainable development and promote knowledge sharing.

    Nnadozie said that the ACBF would also focus the capacity needs of African countries, the AUC and Regional Economic Communities to facilitate the implementation of Agenda 2063 in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    African leaders and delegates attending the Assembly of the AU lauded efforts of the ACBF to strengthen capacity building in countries in the region since its endorsement as a specialised agency.

    ACBF now falls within the category of AU bodies known as “Specialised Agency Set up by Member States”.

    Agencies under that category are set up voluntarily by AU Heads of State and are outside the AU structure, managerial and budgetary control.

    Such agencies have the mandate to examine and address a specific issue, goal or objective that falls under the general mandate of the AU.

    The specific mandate of the ACBF is to provide capacity development support for the implementation of the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

  • Bayelsa approves N2bn counterpart funds for SUBEB, SDG

    Bayelsa approves N2bn counterpart funds for SUBEB, SDG

    The Bayelsa Government says it has approved the release of N2billion counterpart funds to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approval was given by State Executive Council at its 77th meeting at the government house in Yenagoa.

    Mr Jonathan Obuebite, the state’s Commissioner for Information, said shortly after the meeting that the release of the funds was in line with the government’s commitment to improving the standard of education and empowering youths in the area.

    “’SUBEB and SDGs will each get N1billion,” he said.

    Obuebite further said the approved sum as resolved in the executive council would take care of the state’s share of the counterpart funds and other developmental projects.

    “With the approval of N1billion, most of the on-going projects, especially at the primary education sector are expected to be completed.

    “Also with the sole aim of beautifying the Ox-bow Lake, Council also looked into the dredging activities at the Ox-bow Lake and has called on all owners of dredgers within that vicinity to immediately move out.

    “This is a follow up of the notice sent out by the ministry of environment to all operators within the environment.

    “Council announced the commencement of the fencing project that is billed to commence immediately at the Ox-bow Lake for security reasons,” Obuebite said.

    He further explained that the council agreed to encourage Bayelsa people to take advantage of the free boarding school facilities provided by the government with five of its kind already in session.

    According to him, in July, the sports academy in the state will become fully operational as directed by the governor.

    Reacting to the allegation by the Association of Local Government Employees that Bayelsa was the most indebted state to local council workers having failed to pay up to 16 months salary, Obuebite said the state owed only nine months.

    “No LGA is owing more than 9 months’ salary except Ogbia that is owing 10 months arrears.

    “But modalities are being worked out to off-set the backlog of salary arrears.

    “The said publication (allegation) lacks fact as the situation on ground is different,” he said.

  • NEMA, UNESCO advocates synergy of modern, traditional expertise in disaster management

    NEMA, UNESCO advocates synergy of modern, traditional expertise in disaster management

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have underscored the synergy of modern and traditional knowledge of early warnings to disaster management.

    Both organisations made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a workshop on “Interfacing modern and indigenous early warning systems to build vulnerable communities’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partnership between both organisations is focusing on countries in the Lake Chad Basin Region that have been adversely affected by climate change.

    The countries are Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

    Mr Mustapha Maihaja, the Director-General of NEMA said that the impact of climate change had been dire on the countries concerned.

    He said that disaster could therefore be reduced to its minimal if there was a synergy of modern science and indigenous knowledge.

    Maihaja, who was represented by Mr Alhassan Nuhu, the Director, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), NEMA explained that a fusion of both bodies in building effective early warning systems would reduce disaster on vulnerable communities.

    “Climate risks are increasing in frequency and magnitude worldwide, impacting on human health, the environment and causing material loses to communities in a way that impedes the development of the society.

    “This is slowing down the progress toward sustainable development, and throws up a challenge to us as disaster risk managers.

    “The combination of both indigenous knowledge and modern science is inevitable; none can completely stand alone or excludes the other if our goal is to assure a reduction in loss of life and property.

    “There is an increasing awareness of the importance of indigenous knowledge as invaluable and underutilised knowledge reservoir.

    “Indigenous knowledge has been applied in evaluating climate trends and further used to establish early warning in our communities particularly with regards to rainfall patterns.

    “With the intensity and frequency of the changing pattern of climate and its impacts, the effectiveness of indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction is becoming grossly inadequate.

    “There is therefore a need to link modern science with indigenous knowledge in order to build a culture of early warning systems and disaster risk reduction by vulnerable communities to the negative consequences of climate change,’’ Maihaja said.

    Maihaja urged participants of the workshop to come up with a laudable project that would better enhance an effective early warning system to mitigate disaster in the region.

    ‎Mr Yao Ydo, the Regional Representative of UNESCO to Nigeria said that with this new emerging challenges emanating from climate change, it was important to look at the other dimensions of knowledge.

    Ydo, who was represented by Mr UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) , Senior Education Specialist, UNESCO, Nigeria said that it would be very useful to fuse knowledge and other forms of knowledge acquired.

    He said that the event was focusing on the Lake Chad Basin Region because the eco system of the region had been severely affected by the impact of climate change with terrible human and environmental consequences,

    He explained that these consequences had manifested in form of insecurity, social dislocation, economic disruption and environmental degradation, among others,

    The UNESCO regional representative explained that the synergy of both scientific and indigenous knowledge would generate a new co-produced knowledge that would enable effective action to cope with the impacts of the climate change.

    Ydo said that for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNESCO encouraged member states to explore and value the good traditional solutions used in the past by communities to address development challenges.

    He said that this could also help in building the resilience of members of communities.

    Ydo said that UNESCO was partnering with NEMA as the agency responsible for disaster management so that they would  work together and bring in experts to develop mechanisms in building a robust DRR response.

  • UNICEF urges FG to revitalize PHCs to reduce illness, death

    UNICEF urges FG to revitalize PHCs to reduce illness, death

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Federal Government to revitalize the Primary Health Care delivery system to reduce illness and death among Nigerian families.

    The Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. John Agbor, made this known in an online interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    According to him, one functional Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in every ward in Nigeria will make a huge difference in reducing illness and death among families.
    “In recent years, the Federal Government has undertaken an ambitious and laudable campaign to revitalize the primary health care delivery system.

    “Also, to ensure that there is one functional PHC in every ward in Nigeria; when this is achieved, this will make a huge difference in reducing illness and death among Nigerian families.

    “This primary health care approach provides an integrated and coordinated package of health, nutrition, HIV and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services within wards, “he said.

    The UN official said that a functional PHC was also a fair and equitable approach to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

    According to him, such approach will help Nigeria to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed by the United Nations member states.

    “UNICEF commends the Minister of Health for adopting this path, remembering that Nigeria did not achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    “We urge the Ministry of Health and the government to continue along this path; and that will mean finding the financing to ensure that there is a functional PHC in every ward in the country, “he said.

     

  • Celebrating World Telecommunication Day

    Celebrating World Telecommunication Day

    Gone are the days when various telecommunication gizmos where the exclusive preserve of the rich. It is funny now, but just a few years ago, (more specifically, between the year 2000 and 2003), the cost of a mobile phone was on the high end; talkless of the price of a Sim Card.

    Today, the old woman down the street who sells herbs (alaagbo) has at least one mobile phone, the fashion designer has literally taken his business to the cloud (internet), and in a more jocular manner, we hear that Babalawos (traditional herbalists) now contact the deity using Google.

    All these are pointers to the plethora benefits of the telecommunication revolution in our dear nation – Nigeria.

    Going back to the annals of history, we understand that early means of communicating over a distance included visual signals such as beacons, smoke signals, telegraphs, signal flags, optical heliographs etc.

    Other examples of pre-modern long-distance communication included audio messages such as coded drumbeats, lung-blown horns, and loud whistles.

    The wake of the 20th century witnessed some kind of renaissance and innovations, especially when it pertains to long distance communication. Electrical and electromagnetic technologies, such as telegraph, telephone, teleprinter, networks, radio, microwave transmission, fiber optics, and communications satellites were prominent.

    The theme for this year World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is “Big Data For Big Impact”. It focuses on the power of Big Data for development and aims to explore how to turn imperfect, complex, often unstructured data into actionable information in a development context.

    The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

    Information gathering is a major boon for any nation, therefore, the fierce urgency to garner the demographic statistics of the denizens of a country. This way the policy and administrative wonks can forge a template for macro manpower planning and make informed economic decisions.

    Analysed data generated from telecommunication companies can strongly complement the evidence-based nature of decision-making that can be leveraged at national, regional and international levels to drive success towards attaining all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

    In more practical terms, Telecommunication is the transmission of signs, signals, messages, words, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. It occurs when the exchange of information between communication participants includes the use of technology.

    The impact of telecommunication on education has become so enormous that it cannot be expressed on a sheet of paper. Of course, the functionality of the various distant learning programmes situated all over, which is on the increase on a daily basis, wouldn’t have been possible without the telecommunication system such as the internet.

    More so, the series of educative programmes, soap operas, and what have you, being televised by the various television stations across the country can also be included as one of the avenues that have encouraged distant learning.

    As regards politics, telecommunication has recently proven to the citizenry that they can as well observe any electoral activity such as voting and counting of election results from their respective homes without stepping out of their premises.

    The recent Presidential primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was observed by every Nigerian both home abroad, is a good example of the said practice. Such has helped to improve transparency during elections, thereby avoiding occurrence of various possible electoral malpractices and crises.

    It is no longer news that millions of Nigerians are currently employed by several telecommunication companies operating in the country. Statistics show that over fifteen percent (15%) of Nigerian citizens are engaged with various telecom firms. Suffice it to say that the telecommunication industry is one of the major employers of labour in Nigeria, likewise other countries across the globe.

    Though telecommunication technologies play a very vital role in the social, economic, and even political development of any nation, it’s noteworthy that several anomalies need to be addressed in the sector in question.

    A situation whereby uncensored films, pictures or music are disseminated either via the television or the social media is totally unwholesome to the state of any nation, thus ought to be looked into by the relevant authorities such as the Nigerian Communications Communication (NCC) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Finally, the incessant and opportunistic billing of customers by these telecommunication companies needs to be put on the leash and curtailed. Customers should be able to get real value for their monies – whether it be for data or calls.

  • FG restates commitment to attain zero under-5 maternal deaths by 2030

    Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the Government on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) says the office will collaborate with stakeholders to attain zero under five mortality by 2030.

    Adefulire gave the assurance on Saturday in Abuja at a national workshop organised by the Association of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AFMLN) with the theme; “Contributing to SDG three by improving child and maternal health through enlightenment and education.

    Adefulire was represented by Mr Alexander Ejeh, the Chief Admin Officer in her Office.

    Adefulire said that SDG three ensured good healthy lives and promote well being of all, irrespective of the age, adding that the health of a nation was determined by maternal health.

    She said considering the present level of under five mortality rate in the country, it fell short of 2015 target of 66.7 per cent death per 1,000 live birth, by 28.4 per cent.

    She attributed 80 per cent of child mortality to malaria, and pneumonia adding that to tackle this condition effectively and meet 2030 target of zero mortalit,y all hands must be on deck.

    “Maternal mortality rate is the number of women who die at any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy.

    “Or its management excluding accidental or incidental causes during pregnancy and child birth within 42 days of termination of pregnancy irrespective of the duration and time.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s 2015 SDGs end report indicated that maternal mortality ratio is 350 per 100,000 life birth against the target of 250 per, 100,000 life births.

    Adefulire said that the proportion of birth attendance by skilled health personnel was presently 53.6 per cent against the target of 100 per cent and antenatal coverage which was presently at 67.7 per cent.

    Adefulire, who identified 58.6 per cent as the total number of lives saved by 2014, noted that the difference between the number and desired 100 per cent was a wide gap that required universal attention.

    She said that her office would sustain collaboration with stakeholders on areas aimed at combating and identifying impediments against the realisation of SGD three.

    “We will ensure competent and trained staff and viable health systems across all tiers of government.

    “The office is ever ready to support and partner with stakeholders in order to ensure sustainability, promote and sensitise Nigerians on the positive effect of good nutrition to wellbeing of child and maternal health.’’

  • Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

    Kano trains 7, 000 youths on google digital

     Over 7000 youths in Kano state were yesterday trained on Google digital skills, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, designed to empower youths to become self-reliant and employers of labour.
     
    The youths were trained in six different centres simultaneously within Kano metropolis.
     
    Speaking during the inauguration of the one-day training workshop, Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje underscored the importance for youths to be conversant, with information technology, so as to realize their full potentials in the modern world.
     
    According to him, “present day life is driven by digital knowledge. The aim of the state government is to empower Kano youths, with ICT knowledge, as a way of making them become self-reliant and useful to the society.”
     
    He further stated that, “part of the motive for organizing the empowerment programme is to get rid of poverty, upgrade Kano youths, so as to contend, with their contemporaries from other climes. We hope that this will accord them the knowledge, with which to shun anti-societal vices and engage themselves in meaning and productive ventures.”

    He expressed  optimism that on completion of the first  and second phases of the exercise, a minimum of 7000 youths in the state would utilize the digital knowledge acquired to support the fight against climate change, improve agricultural sector, provision of quality health service and further proceed to secure the future of the state.
     
    Ganduje added that selected participants were drawn from the 44 Local Government Areas without resort to the considering political party affiliation.
     
    Earlier in his remark, Kano state Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, comrade Mohammed Garba disclosed that, the one day intensive  programme was being held in six different locations across the state.
     
    He disclosed that, the training programme is a joint capacity building venture between the state government and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDG’s, adding that upon completion, the state government will equip the participants with laptop computers and other necessary equipments they need to start-up their business.
     
    In her address, Kano state Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Bar. Zubaida Damaka Abubakar said that Ganduje’s administration has trained and empowered youths in different skills acquisition areas like automobile, computer training among others, adding that in realization of the training exercise, the state government released N5.6 million as counterpart funding for the training programme.
     
    The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on SDG’s, Adejoke Orelope Adefulire revealed that, over 125,000 Nigerian youths would be provided with ICT basic skills across the country.
     
    The aide to president Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary attached to the office of the SSA, Alhaji Waziri Laminu, stated that, 7000 beneficiaries have been selected from Kano to benefit from the national scheme.

  • FAO urges urgent support to Northeast Nigeria, others

    The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has restated its call for urgent support to Northeast Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen, which have been ravaged by years of violent conflicts.

    The organisation’s Directory-General, José da Silva, emphasised this at the opening of the 165th session of FAO Council in Rome on Monday,

    He said starvation loomed for 20 million people in the four affected areas.

    Da Silva cautioned that famine, which was threatening those countries as a result of drought and ongoing conflict, would leave many dead and rip apart societies.

    He added that”if nothing is done soon, 20 million people will starve to death over the next six months in South Sudan, Somalia, north-eastern Nigera and Yemen.

    “Famine does not just kill people, it contributes to social instability and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and aids dependency that endures for decades.”

    The FAO boss advised farming families and rural communities in the Lake Chad Basin, where people struggled with the impacts of climate change and related droughts.

    According to him, there is need for public investment and opportunities for youth in the Northeast Nigeria.

    “If we do not support these people, they will have no option other than to join local militias or movements of distress migration,” the Director-General said.

    He challenged the FAO Council to approve FAO’s Programme of Work and Budget for the years 2018 and 2019.

    He noted that the budget prioritised areas where FAO could deliver ‘the greatest impact to member Countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “This includes climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable agriculture production, water scarcity management, and building the resilience of poor family farmers.

    “Food and agriculture are central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and FAO’s work is projected to contribute to the achievement of 15 of the 17 Goals.

    “This full alignment has been possible because of the centrality of food and agriculture to the sustainable development agenda 2030,” Da Silva said.

    “Council will also discuss a new scale of assessed contributions, which are the annual payments made by member countries to FAO, according to him.

    Comprised of 49 elected countries, the FAO Council convenes between sessions to provide advice and oversight related to programmes and the budget.

    As part of the week-long Council, members will be briefed on the extent of the conditions in the countries facing famine and in the case of South Sudan where famine has already been declared in parts of the country.

  • Statistician canvasses evaluation mechanism in FG’s economic recovery plan

    A statistician, Dr Olusanya Olubusoye, has advised the Federal Government to accompany the just inaugurated Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with basic monitoring and evaluation kits.

    Olubusoye, the second Vice-President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

    The ERGP’s projected that Nigeria will make significant progress to achieve structural economic change with a more diversified and inclusive economy in five key areas by 2020.

    The key areas are stable macro-economic environment, agricultural transformation, food security, sufficiency in energy and improved transportation infrastructure.

    He said that government should accompany the ERGP with basic monitoring and evaluation kits such as performance indicators, data collection framework and reporting schedule.

    “A simple illustration to use is the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global plans of action.

    “Both of them were accompanied with achievable goals, quantifiable targets, performance indicators, data requirements and even reporting framework.

    “For instance, MDGs had 21 quantifiable targets and 60 indicators for tracking progress on the agenda while the current SDGs has 17 goals and 232 performance indicators.

    “So, the truth is that without practical indicators, goals remain purely aspirational and progress cannot be measured,” he said.

    Similarly, the official said reliable and timely data were needed for systematic follow-up and progress reviews.

    Olubusoye said that government should also look at the nature of the plan and review it.

    According to him, the plan is macro-centric rather than micro-centric in nature.

    “The plan emphasises more on economic aggregates, Gross Domestic Product, which hardly reflect the reality at the micro levels.

    “Individual is concerned with how the plan will translate to improved quality of life, more food on the table, affordable housing, affordable and accessible health facilities.

    “They are also looking at good water, safe and secured environment, quality education, basic infrastructure such as good roads, railway, among others.’’

    He, however, said that it was not clear how many people the plan would cater for.

    “By this, I mean the population figure used for the plan.

    “Nowhere in the plan is reference made to the current population size but quick to project 289 million by year 2050.

    “How realistic is the figure? Is the figure our own, or estimated, or ‘guesstimated’?

    “How many people are covered in the first year of implementation? How many will be covered in the second year and up to 2020?

    “What if the country is planning for more or for less people than it has now, Can such a plan be realistic?”

    The official said that the fundamental question with regards to the plan was the way it differed from the previous development plans.

    He said, “how is ERGP different from the previous plans such as the 1st – 4th National Development Plans, Structural Adjustment Programme, National Economic Empowerment And Development Strategy.

    “The other question: Is it different in concept, scope, goals, monitoring, evaluation, performance indicators, reporting schedule etc?”

    Olubusoye said that those were the important areas and gaps that the government needed to fill in the plan.

    “The solution is to fill the missing gaps in the plan and the basic thing is also to use data appropriately.

    “We don’t have regard for data in this country. How can you have good plan like this and you don’t have performance indicator?

    “You don’t have framework for collecting data that will help you to monitor progress and yet you don’t have reporting framework. How will the government be reporting to Nigerians on progress made,’’ he said.