By Victor Adeoti

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sought the support of stakeholders in eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.

Mr Monday Johnson, UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, made the call in Lagos at a two-day media dialogue on ending open defecation in Nigeria and eradicating NTDs.

According to him, NTDs are diverse group of conditions caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences.

Referencing the Nigeria master plan for NTDs 2023-2027, Johnson said that the country had the highest NTD burden in Africa, with more than 200 million people at risk of at least one of the diseases.

Johnson, however, said that WASH was critical in the prevention and care for all the 17 NTDs.

The UNICEF WASH expert noted that NTDs were associated with poverty and prevalent in areas that had poor sanitation, inadequate or no safe water sources and substandard housing conditions.

Johnson said that NTDs and poor access to WASH contributed to a vicious cycle of poverty and disease, adding that the disease could lead to catastrophic health expenditure and reduced economic productivity.

He said the goal of the programme was to progressively reduce morbidity, disability, and mortality due to the disease using integrated and cost-effective approaches with the view to eliminating NTDs in Nigeria by 2030.

Johnson noted that to eliminate NTDs by 2030, there was a need for behavioural change among the people by embracing the use of toilets and avoiding open defecation.

He said that achieving open defecation-free Nigeria should include the use of any form of improved toilets that prevent exposure of faeces to the environment, to move up the sanitation ladder.

He advised people to always cultivate the habit of disposing of faeces (human and animal) in the toilet and avoid urinating in the river, lake or pond, among other measures.

In his remarks, Mr Dare Olatunji, Sanitation and Hygiene Manager, Water Aid, said adequate provision of potable water and clean hygiene were important in achieving open defecation-free Nigeria.

Mrs Chizoma Opara, a Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said that only 18 per cent of Nigerians, that is 37 million people, have access to safely managed sanitation services.

Opara, who is also the National Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, noted that the national vision was that by 2030, every Nigerian would have access to safely managed sanitation, and hygiene facilities in cities, small towns and rural communities. (NAN)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

By Yunus Yusuf

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons has partnered with the Cormode Cancer Foundation to address cancer in Nigeria’s IDP camps and host communities.

The partnership is aimed at establishing Cormode Cancer Champions Clubs in secondary schools across the country to educate young people about cancer prevention and early detection.

The Federal Commissioner for the Commission, Mr Tijani Aliyu, in a statement issued by the partners on Sunday in Lagos, said that the initiative also aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of displaced persons.

Aliyu also said that it would help to reduce the stigma associated with cancer and empower young people as advocates for cancer awareness.

“We are delighted to partner with Cormode Cancer Foundation to address the critical issue of cancer awareness in our IDP camps and host communities.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of displaced persons.

“By educating the youth about cancer, we aim to foster a healthier future and reduce the stigma associated with this disease.

“We are excited to endorse the launch of the first 150 Cancer Champions in September, a milestone that we believe will attract potential donors to expand this vital programme.”

Also, Dr Denise Ejoh, founder of the Foundation, explained that the project was dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Ejoh emphasised the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological impact of cancer, especially in vulnerable communities.

“We are honoured to collaborate with the National Commission for Refugees on this vital initiative.

“We commend the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Tijani Aliyu, for his passion and dedication to ensuring that the camps are cancer-free and well-educated.

“Through this partnership, we hope to educate and empower young people, providing them with the tools and knowledge to prevent and detect cancer early,” he said.

He explained that the programme would address the emotional and psychological aspects of cancer and displacement, offering grief and trauma education to build resilience and hope.

Mrs Ndidi Odia, Club Coordinator and daughter of a cancer survivor, highlighted the need for educating caregivers and providing support to those affected by cancer.

Odia said, “As someone who understands the challenges of living with cancer through my mother’s experience, I recognise the importance of educating people, especially caregivers, about this disease.

“Our efforts will focus on providing accurate information and support to those in the camps and host communities.

“We aim to ensure that everyone understands the importance of early detection and the resources available to them.”

According to her, the initiative marks a significant step toward improving cancer awareness and education in Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

“The Cormode Cancer Champions Clubs will serve as a platform for disseminating critical information, providing emotional support, and fostering a community of informed and proactive individuals, she added.

She explained that the endorsement of the launch of the first 150 Cancer Champions in September by the Commission was anticipated to draw support from donors, facilitating the expansion of this crucial programme.

Also, Mrs Noni Okocha, of “I Am the Future of Nigeria Youth Initiative”, a partnering NGO, said:  “It is crucial to educate not only the internally displaced persons but also future generations on the importance of cancer awareness.

“By doing so, we can create a more informed and health-conscious society.

“We are proud to be a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on these communities.” (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Segun Giwa/Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for stronger commitment from state governments and stakeholders in the education sector to develop models that will reduce the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Azuka Menkiti, UNICEF Education Specialist, made the remarks on Monday in Ibadan during a two-day regional stakeholders meeting on out-of-school children and models for retention, transition and completion of education in South-West states.

Menkiti said that such commitment was crucial to addressing the barriers impeding students’ retention, transition and completion of secondary school.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by commissioners for education, religious leaders, and educationists from Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, and Oyo states.

According to Menkiti, the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria is alarming, and the country needs to build multiple learning pathways to tackle this crisis and improve retention and transition rates in secondary education.

She noted that UNICEF had successfully tested scalable intervention programmes, which state governments could replicate to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Speaking on UNICEF’s education priorities for 2023-2027 and its strategic focus for 2024, Menkiti said the agency was supporting states to strengthen systems and expand access to quality learning.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, she revealed that only 39 per cent of the poorest girls attend primary school and just 41 per cent of primary school students remain in school by the end of junior secondary school.

“Only 73 per cent of children aged 7 to 14 demonstrate functional reading skills and 43 per cent of children with functional difficulties are in primary school. This is what UNICEF aims to change.

“UNICEF’s goal in addressing the out-of-school children crisis is to ensure that adolescents have access to secondary education, are equipped with the knowledge and skills to complete secondary education and can transition into work or further education and training.

“The agency’s objective is to strengthen government systems, expand access to secondary education and enhance learning and skills,” Menkiti said.

She urged governments at all levels to show more commitment to retaining students in school and ensuring their transition and completion, as education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty in families.

In his presentation, Babagana Aminu, another UNICEF Education Specialist, stated that out of six million children enrolled in primary education yearly, one million do not advance to lower secondary school.

Quoting from the MICS 2021 survey, Aminu said that the education completion rate in the South-West region stood at 92.6 per cent for primary education, 85.3 per cent for lower secondary, and 72.9 per cent for upper secondary.

He assured that UNICEF would continue to support governments in minimising the number of out-of-school children in the country.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed, described the issue of out-of-school children as “embarrassing” and in urgent need of resolution.

“To achieve the desired results in the state and the region, serious and consistent intervention is necessary over the next five years.

“With the efforts of state governments, most out-of-school children in the states are non-indigenes. The government is doing everything possible to change this narrative,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Ayodeji Alabi