The Social services sector addresses issues in education, health, gender, youths,

water HIV/AIDS and the environment. Government is mindful of the threat to

development if these social indicators are not accorded the right attention.

Education in Kogi State is confronted with problems such as class room congestion, high

students’ teachers’ ratio, gender imbalance, increasing students drop out, low transition

rate from lower to higher level of education, poor academic environment, under funding,

examination malpractices, inadequate/unqualified manpower, unaccredited courses and

many more. However, Kogi State Government has embarked on pragmatic measures in

addressing the problems. They include the construction of over 700 blocks of four class

rooms for primary schools across the State, provision/renovation of infrastructure at all

levels of education and the injection of qualified manpower in schools, especially the

tertiary institutions. This has not only led to the accreditation of many courses but has

greatly improved their ratings and the general confidence in them.

Kogi State Government will ensure an academic environment that will be attractive to

qualified manpower and conducive for learning.

Increase pre-primary enrolment from the current 30% to 60% by 2007.

a. Registering more schools and Day Care Centres

b. Encouraging pre-primary education through enlightenment campaigns.

c. Integrating pre-primary education into the public school system.

a. Increase in school enrolment from 76% in 2003 to 85% by 2007.

b. 80% of primary school teachers to acquire the minimum teaching qualification (NCE)

by the end of year 2007.

a. Construction of 20 blocks of 4 classrooms in each of the 21 LGAs.

b. Strengthening and upgrading existing infrastructure

c. Training and re-training teachers.

d. Provision of instructional materials.

a. Achieve 80% pass with a minimum of 5 credits in SSCE by 2007.

b. Eradicate examination malpractices by 2007.

c. Eliminate gender disparity in schools’ enrolment by the end of 2006.

d. 70% of teachers to obtain relevant professional qualification (B.ED, PGDE) by 2007

e. 30% of secondary education to be technically based by 2007.

a. Government, in partnership with other stakeholders, will establish more schools

b. Establishment of a State Examination Board.

c. Teachers to achieve minimum professional qualification as well as ensure training and

retraining of teachers.

d. Special incentive for teachers in science and technical courses. Those deployed to rural

areas will be further motivated.

e. Appropriate Communication and Behavioural Change (CBC) materials on prevention,

care and support will be provided for teachers and students living with HIV/AIDS.

f. Technical secondary schools will be established in each of the 3 senatorial districts.

g. Provision of functional libraries and sporting facilities in schools.

a. Ensure the accreditation of all courses in the State tertiary institutions by 2007.

b. Eradication of cultism in schools by 2007.

c. Reduction of examination malpractices by 80% by 2007.

a. Adherence to the UNESCO standard of allocating 16% of the State Budget to

education by 2007.

b. Encourage private sector initiatives in establishing and funding tertiary education.

c. Increase physical development in the tertiary institutions.

d. Stocking the libraries with modern and current text books and journals as well as

provision of internet services.

e. Training and retraining of staff.

e. Provision of adequate sporting facilities.

f. Prompt payment of bursary allowances to students.

g. Encouraging research work

h. Improved motivation for staff.

Achieve 30% adult literacy by 2007.

a. Improved funding by the State and Local Governments.

b. Encouraging private sector participation

c. Intensive campaign and enlightenment to stimulate interest.

d. Providing learning kits and materials to the various learning centres.

e. Adapting curriculum to include prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

Health services in Kogi State is not yet satisfactory due largely to the problems of

infrastructure, personnel and funding. The ravaging effects of HIV/AIDS, Malaria,

TB etc is mounting. However, there has been a steady growth in the infrastructural

development, injection of qualified health workers and improved funding. Of note is

the construction and equipping of hospitals as well as the renovation of the existing

ones.

The State will provide primary health care services to all communities as well as

strengthen secondary health care for improved performance. Also, the National

Health Insurance Scheme will be utilized for the delivery of affordable and accessible

health care services to the people.

a. 85% of the people to have access to effective and efficient health services by 2007.

b. Reduce the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS from 5.7% to 2% by 2007.

c. Reduce the incidence of malaria occurrence from 90% to 20% by 2007.

a. Provision of health facilities in each ward of the State.

b. Implementation of NHIS

c. Enlightenment on HIV/AIDS, malaria, river blindness, malnutrition, routine

immunization etc.

d. Establishment of HIV/AIDS Voluntary Confidential Counseling Testing (VCCT)

e. Check mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

f. Establishment of anti retroviral centres in each senatorial district.

g. Mass distribution of mectisan tablets to check river blindness.

h. Distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN).

i. Effective implementation of Roll-Back Malaria (RBM) programme.

j. Integration of alternative medicine into the health care delivery system.

k. Provision of family planning materials and equipment.

l. Provision of essential obstetric care facilities

m. Effective execution of routine immunization exercises.

n. Capacity building for health workers.

The quality of life of the citizens of the State and the success of her development

efforts depend largely on the health status of women. Consequently, government

will put in place programmes that will continue to enhance the women’s health and

well being as well as their participation in decision making on matters that relate to

their health care.

ensure that both male and female have equal access to medical facilities and

institutions in the State by 2007

a. Empowerment of women

b. Encourage involvement of women in medical decision-making organs

c. Expand the current Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAS) training programmes to

include traditional women healers

d. Minimize and eventually eliminate cultural practices such as early marriages, early

pregnancy, and female circumcision.

One major challenge of our time is HIV/AIDS which has reached an epidemic

proportion in the country. Nigeria accounts for above 10% of the total HIV/AIDS

infections in the world. The year 2003 national survey revealed that about 5%

Nigerians are living with the HIV virus, representing over 3.8 million people. The

prevalence rate in Kogi State is 5.7% which is higher than the national average. The

State Government has, through the State Action Committee on AIDS (KOSACA) and

other Agencies, embarked on aggressive sensitization campaigns to highlight the

dangers of HIV/AIDS as well as strengthening machineries to combat and help those

living with it.

The policy objective is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the

State, providing prevention, care, treatment and support for women, children, other

vulnerable groups and the general public.

a. Increase the people’s level of awareness on HIV/AIDS from 60%-85% by 2007.

b. Increase the percentage of youths who practice abstinence from 40%-80% for male

and 28%-80% for female; and men and women who practice safe sex from 20%-50%

by 2007

c. Increase access to care and support services for PLWHAS & PABAS by 30% by

2007.

a. Communities’ mobilization and advocacy targeting policy makers, traditional

leaders, youths, people with special needs, prison inmates, refugee camps,

commercial sex workers etc.

b. Increase access to and ensure uninterrupted supply of Anti-Retroviral Therapy

(ART).

c. Establish Voluntary Counselling and Confidential Testing (VCCT) across the

State.

d. Establish PMTCT sites across the State to reduce mother to child transmission.

e. Provide psychological support programme for vulnerable groups e.g. OVC,

PLWHA & PABAS

f. Promote and strengthen partnership with line Ministries/Departments, NGOs,

Development Partners etc. to combat HIV/AIDS in the State.

As a relatively young State, the demand for housing in Kogi State far outweighs

supply. This situation has been further compounded by the upsurge in banks, federal

agencies and companies such as Ajaokuta Steel company, Itakpe Iron Ore, Obajana

Cement Company and many other downstream industries resulting from these giant

companies. Kogi State Government, in addressing the problem, has intensified the

provision of housing, leading to the construction of over 10 Housing Estates while

private developers are also being encouraged to take active part in housing

development in the State to the State.

Government will:

a. Attract investment through an aggressive housing development policy.

b. Provision of housing facilities in the rural areas.

c. Provision of decent accommodation to public servants.

d. Encourage private participation in housing development.

a. Construct 25 No House of Assembly Quarters by 2007.

b. Construct 150 No, one-bedroom detached houses by 2007.

c. Construct 250 No, two-bedroom detached houses by 2007.

d. Construct 100 No, three-bedroom detached houses by 2007.

e Construct 50No Permanent Secretaries quarters by 2007.

a. Encourage private sector participation in housing development.

b. Facilitate public servants to access loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB)

and other Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMPIS).

c. Increase the use of local raw materials in building.

d.Capitalize Kogi State Investment and Property Ltd. and Kogi Savings and Loans

Ltd for housing delivery.

Investment in the youths is the greatest asset that any nation can boast of today.

Therefore, the success or failure of the future generation is a function of the vitality of

today’s youths.

Mindful of this fact, Government through the Ministry of Youths and Sports and

other relevant Government agencies, is poised to bring out the best in the youths. The

numerous challenges and abuses which threaten their development and empowerment

will be converted to strengths, through programmes designed to positively re-direct

and develop their attitude and potential. Some achievements already recorded

include: the construction of Children Amusement Park, provision of more schools,

timely disbursement of bursary allowances, strong commitment to Child’s Rights

Bill, establishment of skill acquisition centres, provision of micro credits, provision of

tricycles, sensitization on Child abuse and diseases such as HIV/AIDS etc.

In order to maximize the potential in the youths, the State Government will carry

them along in her development process as well as pay attention to their peculiar needs

to guarantee a better future.

a. Establish one skill acquisition centre in each LGA by 2007.

b. Establish one recreational centre in each LGA by 2007.

c. Construct 20,000 capacity stadium complex with standard facilities in Lokoja by

2007.

d. Ensure the passage of Child’s Rights Bill by 2005.

a Increase enrolment from primary to secondary as well as from secondary to tertiary

levels.

b Intensify awareness about diseases especially HIV/AIDS to the vulnerable youths.

c. Involve the youths in public work to reduce youth unemployment..

d. Inculcate in youths the virtues of patriotism, discipline, selfless service, honesty,

and integrity through revitalization of organization such as Boys Scouts, the Girls

Guide, and the Boys Brigade.

e. Promote and protect the rights of the child and woman.

f. Expand opportunities for vocational training and entrepreneurial development

g. Provide sporting and recreational facilities.

h. combat drug abuse, cultism, prostitution and women trafficking.

i. Introduce micro-credit scheme and small-scale entrepreneurial training for self

employment in youths.

j. Indicate interest and commitment in the World Bank Assisted National Urban

Youth Employment and Empowerment (NUYEEP)

Gender issues received a boost with the declaration of the United Nations Decade for

Women. Similarly, the Assembly of the Heads of State and Governments of OAU at

appropriate measures to promote and protect the Rights and Welfare of the African

Child.

Gender balance is a necessary ingredient for development. However, women unlike

their men counterparts, are subjects of discrimination and abuse which limit their

ability to grow to full potential. In responding to this trend, Government, in

collaboration with various agencies, has intensified awareness creation aimed at

stamping out all gender-based abuse and discrimination. Also, more women are being

appointed into positions of authority while steady progress has been made in

reducing traditional and cultural practices that are gender discriminatory. Relevant

laws and legal aids are being provided to ensure rights’ protection and equal access to

justice.

a. The focus of the government is to achieve gender equality by 2015

b. Pay adequate attention to the needs, priorities and interest of women to achieve

their full participation in the socio-economic and political development of the

State.

Government will, by 2007, achieve 30% women participation in governance.

a. Awareness creation, sensitization and advocacy on the Convention on Elimination

of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) will be intensified while the relevant

laws on gender equality will be enforced.

b. Ensure greater number of women/widows benefit from the State poverty alleviation

programme.

c. Ensure legal provision for the rights of women to inheritance as well as access to

land and landed properties.

d. Increase girls and women’s access to education at all levels.

e. Discourage withdrawal of girls from schools for marriage through legal sanctions.

f. Women in Health Development and the Safe Motherhood Programme will be well

funded and sustained

g. Sensitization of women and widows on HIV/AIDS as well as offering assistance to

them.

h. Intensify documentation of data, disaggregated by gender, on the needs, problems

and constraints in the informal sector of the State to alleviate poverty of women and

men in the rural and urban areas.

In Kogi State, as in other States, man’s carelessness to the environment which often

results in over-utilization of natural resources as well as inability to conform to the

internationally acceptable safety standards in carrying out economic, industrial and

commercial activities. The continued usage of substances such as fire wood and the

inappropriate disposal of wastes and poor hygiene have often resulted to

environmental problems such as pollution, erosion, flooding, deforestation etc with its

attendant health consequences. In responding to these problems, government has

made environmental impact assessment and the provision of safety mechanism

necessary conditions for any company to operate in the State. Also, all the sanitary

departments and agencies of government have been strengthened to be more result

oriented while elaborate sensitization on the right environmental attitude have been

very regular.

a. Government will evolve a comprehensive Master Plan for selected towns in the

State for control of physical development in order to avoid imminent urban blight,

slums, shanties, environmental pollution and urban degradation.

b. Maintain a clean environment to reduce the spread of diseases like cholera,

diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc, some of which are preventable.

a. Improve sanitation condition by 90% by 2007

b. Reduce air pollution and ozone layer depleting substances by 80% by 2007

c. Reduce water pollution by 90% by 2007

d. Reduce gully erosion by 80% by 2007

e. Reduce flooding cases by 70% by 2007

a. Promote environmental education through awareness creation and advocacy.

b. Enforcement of E.I.A (Environmental Impact Assessment ) for new projects.

c. Discourage the use of ozone layer depleting substances.

d. Establishment of emission standards for all industries.

e. Establishment of Monitoring and Enforcement, Evaluation and Regulation Units.

f. Treatment of effluent before discharge.

g. Identification of all erosion sites and channeling the affected land areas.

h. Proper planning of settlements in the riverine areas.

i. Construction of mode/dustbins for collection of wastes.

j. Planning of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas both in the

State capital, the LGA headquarters and industrial/commercial towns in the State

k. Provision of environmental sanitation equipment, in partnership with Donor

Agencies.

l. Local Governments and communities to embrace environmental sanitation

campaign while an award will be given to the best sanitation-compliant

LG/Community.

m. Encourage the private sector’s participation in the management and disposal of

wastes.

The vulnerable groups are the aged, widows, orphans, abandoned children, the

physically challenged, the extreme poor etc. These groups have difficulties in coping

with the basic necessities of life. These problems are being addressed through the

provision of micro credits, wheel chairs, skill acquisition etc, while efforts are ongoing

to encourage formation of associations among them to enable them access help

from government and other philanthropic organizations. The State government,

through the Family Advancement Programme (FAP), has successfully sponsored the

treatment of some physically challenged people in Sokoto. More measures are,

however, required to fully integrate them into the main stream of the society.

Government’s overriding objective is to make the vulnerable groups enjoy life to the

optimum through the creation of necessary safety nets based on the unique needs of

each group.

a. Ensure 80% of the vulnerable groups have access to basic needs by 2007

b. Ensure that 70% of the vulnerable groups acquire the necessary skills through

training by 2007

a. School for physically challenged will be established.

b. The existing Rehabilitation Centre in Lokoja will be rehabilitated and put to

effective use

c. The on-going Vocation Training Centre in Lokoja will be completed and put to use

d. A Children Reception Centre will be established in Lokoja to handle cases of

abandoned children.

e. Widows will be given micro credits to establish small scale businesses

f. Remand Homes and Juvenile Courts will be established

g. Weaving industry in the State will be strengthened to enhance the income of poor

women.

h. Introduction of contributory pension scheme to ensure that retirement benefits are

paid as and when due.

The current pension regime is beset with numerous problems, hence the need for

reform. The focus of the reform is the introduction of Contributory Pension Scheme

that will ensure the payment of pension as and when due.

Under this arrangement, the employer/employee will contribute 7.5% each to the fund

which will be managed by the State Pension Board. The Pension Board will be

mutually constituted by the stakeholders

The problems often associated with skewed development which in Kogi State led to

agitation and sometimes confrontation in the past development efforts, are being

addressed. Within this context, the State government has made all inclusive

development agenda as a principle. For example, over 700 blocks of 4 classrooms for

primary schools have been constructed across the State while one major road is under

construction in each senatorial district. Several other rural and urban roads are also

under construction. A number of motorized boreholes and surface water as well as

electricity are being embarked upon State-wide. The existing relative peace in the

State has been attributed to the fair distribution of amenities to all the component

parts of the State. This has not only created a conducive environment for government

to pursue her development drive but also made the environment very attractive for

investment.

KOSEEDS is keen to ensuring the growth of all the sectors of the State economy to

provide the needed sectoral linkages for balanced development. The reform is

anchored on the harmonious interplay of the key sectors of social services,

agriculture, solid minerals, SMEs, infrastructure and tourism. The huge gains in this

approach informed the State Government’s continued commitment to the realization

of Ibaji Sugar Company which will process the huge sugar raw materials in Ibaji into

finished products for both domestic and industrial uses. This, in effect, will lead to

employment creation, income generation and improved standard of living.