Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Policy Innovation Centre has stated that children from the most impoverished families are nearly 11 times more likely to face mortality compared to those from the most affluent families.
Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, the Executive Director of Policy Innovation Centre, highlighted the importance of narrowing this disparity by emphasizing the need to generate solutions that directly contribute to reducing inequality and deprivation that have hindered progress for an extensive period.
Speaking at the ongoing Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 in Abuja, Dr. Dirisu expressed the aspiration to pave the way towards a society that is more just, equitable, and prosperous, where each individual can flourish and make valuable contributions to our collective prosperity.
He said in Nigeria, the correlation between poverty and child mortality is particularly evident. “Children from the most economically disadvantaged families are nearly 11 times more likely to face mortality compared to those from the most financially privileged families.
“The global multidimensional poverty index offers a comprehensive insight into poverty, transcending mere monetary evaluations to encompass its multifaceted dimensions, thereby presenting a clearer depiction of who is impoverished and the underlying reasons.
“In light of this context, the Policy Innovation Centre has devoted the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2024 to deliberating on essential policy imperatives and actions required to actualize a more inclusive Nigeria for all.
“The PIC community is dedicated to translating every idea and recommendation from this Summit into a well-defined roadmap for implementing measures aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s standing in gender index rankings.”
During his introductory remarks, Mr. Niyi Yussuf, the Chairman of NESG, emphasized that since 2022, the summit has been established as an annual forum for diverse stakeholders to engage in discussions and collaboratively devise contextually pertinent solutions for gender and inclusion in Nigeria.
Niyi pointed out the high relevance of the 2024 gender summit theme, stressing the urgent need to address poverty in the nation, which disproportionately impacts women. The prevalence of multidimensional poverty persists, ensnaring millions and impeding the full realization of our potential.
Therefore, every facet of our intervention must shape the fabric of our society and mold our collective future. Today, “we convene with a sense of urgency and purpose, committed to leveraging our knowledge and insights to directly confront this pressing challenge.
Hence, “we must formulate and implement strategies that empower our women and all citizens to assume their rightful positions in our society, enabling our beloved nation to ultimately achieve its full potential.”
The Policy Innovation Centre stands as an initiative of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, a prominent think tank in Africa.
