The Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, has urged stakeholders across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state to collaborate with the state government towards ensuring that their communities get the needed social amenities for their people.
The Agency had embarked on a Data Advocacy Roundtable Discussion with stakeholders at the local government level which commenced on Wednesday in the Nassarawa-Eggon and Doma LGAs of the state.
Speaking on Thursday shortly after the Data Advocacy Roundtable Discussion in the Awe, Obi and Keana LGAs, the Director General of the Agency, Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, said it was important for the stakeholders to come together to take actions on matters that concerns their respective communities.
She, therefore pledged the commitment of the state government to partner communities lagging behind in social amenities including schools, healthcare centers to provide them with portable drinking water, markets, housing, toilet facilities, among others.
She explained that the objectives of the roundtable was to address the complex issues surrounding Human Capital Development, discuss the policy frameworks with stakeholders on the six thematic areas of the state to promote inclusivity in development initiatives.
The DG narrated that the African continent over the years had continued to lag behind compared to other regions in the world due to a plethora of challenges which are more pronounced in vulnerable populations and regions experiencing conflict or fragility.
She, therefore, said sustained collaborative efforts were needed to accelerate Human Capital Development in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, adding that a pathway to achieving it is through advocacy.
Balarabe-Suleiman further urged the stakeholders to key into the agency’s agenda, so as to accelerate development in the state as well as ensure that all citizens achieve their full potential.
She expressed gratitude to the Africa Human Capital Development Plus for funding the project, and listed the six thematic areas to include Health and Nutrition; Education; Labour Force Participation; Youth; Social Development; and Local Government and Community Development.
“For each of our six thematic areas, we have objectives that speaks to the issues at hand which is hindering 100 per cent optimal performance of these thematic areas.
“We are hopeful that with our deliberate efforts to neutralize these challenges, the growth and development of the economy will be accelerated.
“We are also hopeful that through the Human Capital Development, we will have many people who are better educated and healthier by the year 2030,” she added.
On his part, the Chairman of Awe LGA, Usman Umar expressed gratitude to the state government for organizing the stakeholder’s discussion aimed at supporting the communities in the LGAs to develop and add value to the society at large.
“I have learned a lot concerning the efforts of the agency in its six thematic areas. I also believe that other stakeholders at the roundtable learned new things that would help their communities to develop.
Other stakeholders at the meeting called for all hands to be on deck to support the agency in achieving its aims and objectives for the benefit of the entire residents of the state. (NAN).