By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, Amina Mohammed Katagum, has urged Directors of Planning, Research, and Statistics (DPRS) to adopt a proactive and versatile approach in guiding government planning and implementation processes.
Katagum made the call during a three-day training workshop for DPRS and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers on Data Management, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
She stressed that accurate and reliable data is the foundation of effective governance, as it enables policymakers to design evidence-based programs and sustainable development strategies.
“Planning is teamwork, and to strengthen the process, the State Government has established a Bureau for Statistics,” Katagum stated.
The Commissioner commended UNFPA for supporting the training of 53 DPRS and M&E officers, describing the initiative as vital for evidence-based planning and informed decision-making.
In her remarks, Deborah Tabara, UNFPA Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst and Bauchi State Programme Officer, said one of the organization’s core mandates is to build institutional capacity in data analysis and utilization for monitoring development indicators.
She highlighted progress made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly in family planning, maternal health, and the fight against gender-based violence — through improved access to data and analytical tools.
However, Tabara noted that inequalities persist, with vulnerable and marginalized populations often left behind. She explained that UNFPA’s partnership with the Bauchi State Government aims to bridge data gaps by strengthening DPRS capacity to collect and analyze context-specific data for better planning and results tracking.
“UNFPA remains committed to supporting Bauchi State in harnessing the power of inclusive data for evidence-based policy formulation, planning, and budgeting,” Tabara reaffirmed. Follow www.krestnews.com for more reports and updates.