UNICEF Urges Borno Govt. to Implement M&E Report for Better Governance
By Tada Juthan, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Borno State government to implement the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) readiness assessment report.
According to the global agency, the implementation of the report’s findings will strengthen governance, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in the state.
The call was made on Thursday in Maiduguri by the UNICEF acting chief of the Borno Field Office, Joseph Senesie, while disseminating the state’s M&E readiness assessment report to stakeholders, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other development partners.
“We’re proud to have provided the technical support for the M&E readiness assessment conducted in the third quarter of 2024,” he said, noting that it is a critical step towards achieving goals outlined in the State’s 25-year development framework and 10-year strategic transformation plan.
He stated that the importance of this assessment cannot be overstated, particularly in a complex state of Borno, where the challenges of conflict, displacement, and recovery intersect with the aspirations for sustainable development.
Additionally, he added that a robust monitoring and evaluation system is not just a tool to be adapted but is necessary in sustaining the completed projects in the education, health, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.
“We recognise the transformative power of a strong child-sensitive monitoring and evaluation system in achieving our shared goals,” he said.
Senesie reiterated that UNICEF will continue to work with the state government and other stakeholders to build on the gains of this assessment by ensuring that the M&E system is institutionalised and aligns with the state development plan.
He, therefore, urged stakeholders to prioritise the implementation of the assessment’s recommendations while the state government continues to invest in the capacity-building of workers, data systems, and technology to enhance decision-making.
“Let us foster a culture of accountability and learning that empowers institutions and individuals to use data effectively,” said Senesie.
