Kaduna, Nigeria – Northern Nigerian governors don gather sharp-sharp for Kaduna chop discussion wey get to do with early childhood development. Dem don agree say this matter na di biggest wahala wey dey face dem region right now, especially as dem don notice say neglect fit make another generation suffer poverty wey no go end.
Dis meeting na high-powered gathering where dem invite World Bank people to bring their own sense on top wetin dey happen. Dem talk say dem go invest for di first 2,000 days of pikin life — from conception to age five. Na dis period dey critical for brain formation, physical growth, and all di things wey dey make sense for future productivity.
Experts talk say if dem no take care of di pikin well during dis stage, e go result to stunting (no, no be stunting for dance!), poor readiness for school, and low economic potential. Wetin dem dey talk na serious level o!
At di end, di governors come gree say dem go put Early Years development for di heart of all their security and economic plans. Dem no fit afford to miss another generation. “Investing in the first 2,000 days na di most important investment for peace and long-term stability,” na wetin dem yan as dem unite for dis grand resolution.
Dem dey panic as dem see stunting rates dey craze, learning poverty dey grow, and fertility rates still dey high — all of dem fit make any positive move difficult. Ritgak Tilley-Gyado from World Bank talk say northern states dey at di highest risk but also dey see great potential gains, if dem fit do wetin dey required.
Di World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Mathew Verghis, still yan say delivery go rest for di states. He suggest say meaningful progress go need well-grounded and coherent strategies wey fit waka across health, education, agriculture, and social systems. Na serious work be dis o!
Governor Umar Namadi from Jigawa State don start di conversation by linking di wahala of poverty to poor early childhood development. He praise di World Bank for their financing model but call for better support for di frontline workers. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, on di other hand, don dey call for rapid expansion of micronutrient access, for make sure say dem dey fit use fortified foods wey dey already dey produced for dia region.
Plateau State Governor don admit say multi-sectoral reforms dey complex sha, but evidence dey clear say if dem no intervene early, northern states go continue dey struggle. Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, don add say even though dem inherit plenty governance wahala, di time don come to change everything through Early Years investment.
NGF Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, don highlight di progress dey happen under di partnership wey dem get with di World Bank, and say dem go keep di momentum going. Di governors don show plenty unity for dis meeting, and e fit mean say dem dey ready finally to push for di first real comprehensive human capital reform wey di North don see for decades.
Dem conclude di meeting with di promise say dem go align state policies with di Early Years agenda, signaling new hope for di pikin dem, as dem dey ready to lead di way. Dem talk say “Di Early Years agenda go reflect our realities and empower di frontline workers.” Naija, we dey watch!
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