UNICEF Commends SOSG Investment On Health, Skills And Education.

UNICEF Commends SOSG Investment On Health, Skills And Education.

By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Friday commended Sokoto State government for it’s massive investment in education, health and skills in the state.

Making this known in her remarks at the Sokoto State Government House, UNICEF Executive Director, Head of UNICEF Globally, Catherine Russell said she equally appreciate the government’s commitment towards ending polio.

Giving objective of her visit, Catherine Russell said with the desired zeal, they are optimistic that Sokoto can eliminate the remaining immunization gaps and become one of Nigeria’s strongest examples of political commitment to child survival.

“I also saw in action your government’s clear vision on health, education, and skills for children.

“I welcome the state’s investments in these critical areas. UNICEF stands ready to continue supporting the government to strengthen systems, improve service delivery, generate evidence that guides smarter investments.

“Together, we believe that Sokoto can eliminate the remaining immunization gaps and become one of Nigeria’s strongest examples of political commitment to child survival.

“Every investment that helps a child learn, builds human capital, and in long-term economic growth.

While noting that
Nigeria’s certification as free of wild polio virus in 2020 demonstrated
that even difficult public health challenges can be overcome through leadership, community engagement, and partnership.

And in display of their strong commitment, the UNICEF boss said
“Today, our task is to protect these gains by ensuring that every child receives routine immunization, every missed child is reached, and surveillance remains strong.

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“What I saw today was the digital village,
where I saw literacy, vocational training, life skills, and I also saw the primary health care center, where they were doing routine immunization and nutrition screening. They are really very fantastic projects,
and I’m very grateful that UNICEF is able to work with the government to support them.”

Talking on the possibilities that abound in the state, the UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell said she believes Sokoto has the potential to become a national example of how political leadership,
can translate into measurable improvements for children.

“Your administration has already put important policy reforms in place.
UNICEF remains your trusted partner to translate this vision into results.

“Together, we can build on this momentum and position Sokoto as an example of how political leadership can contribute to Nigeria’s future prosperity”.

Responding to the visit, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu represented by his deputy, Mohammed Idris Gobir commended UNICEF for choosing Sokoto as one of the states to be visited during the Executive Director’s Mission to Nigeria.

Governor Ahmed who expressed deep appreciation to UNICEF for the
various interventions provided in Sokoto state, added that since assumption, his administration have paid greater attention to improving the health condition
of pregnant mothers
and their children through free medical care programmes.

Talking on how committed the government is towards sound health care delivery, he said they have recruited over 1,500 nurses and midwives and posted to rural facilities, in addition to another 2,440 community health extension workers that are
to be deployed to the primary health centers.

The governor further affirmed that his administration has established Skill Aquisition Centers
for Al-Majiri and out-of-school children, graduated 2,720 trained Al-Majiris and out-of-school children, with a starter up packs, among others.

The governor however admitted that recent security challenges is affecting schools and health care facilities in the state.