I Embarked On Repositioning Emergency Agency To Be Data-driven Since 2019 -Executive Secretary, Goje
By Kayode Ajiboye
Copyright independent
Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Mohammed Goje has said repositioning of the Agency to be data-driven was embarked upon having appointed in 2019.
Dr. Mohammed made this known at the sideline event of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday,
He noted that data is non-negotiable when dealing with issues that borders on both man-made and natural conflicts.
“Prior to my appointment, I was a development worker with Clinton Health, managing Bill and Melinda Gates grants in Yobe State.
“When i took over in 2019, the first thing i did was to reform the Agency to be data-driven.
“When you are faced with man-made and natural conflict such as boko haram insurgency, flooding, fire and repatriation of IDPs that are in Camps, you must reposition yourself to work with data.
“So, i started repositioning the Agency to be data driven to ensure we have a reliable data we can work with.” He said.
Meanwhile, The Executive Secretary acknowledged that the withdrawal of funding by the Agency for International Development (USAID) left huge gap in humanitarian response in Yobe State.
He also noted that most of the partners complementing government’s efforts are now having limited resources.
Goje, therefore, assured that the government would not rest on its oars in filling the gap due to the fact that it is its primary responsibility to support and fund.
“With the withdrawal of the USAID Funding, most of our partners that have keyed into complementing government’s efforts have limited resources to support the ongoing response.
“But of course we did an analysis and there was a huge gap to fill because of the withdrawal of USAID Funding.
“Fortunately, there are some funds coming in through an international development partner. Even at that, the primary objective to support and fund lies with the government.
“Looking at our analysis, the government is looking at how to close the gap in terms of health, livelihood and other components of humanitarian responses.” He said.
