News Agency of Nigeria
FGM: A harmful violation of girls’ rights-UNICEF
Health

FGM: A harmful violation of girls’ rights-UNICEF

Violation

By Segun Giwa/Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful violation of girls’ and women’s rights.

The Chief of UNICEF, Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere said this at a two-day Media Dialogue to Support Advocacy to End FGM in Nigeria on Wednesday in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation.

According to Lafoucriere, nearly 20 million women and girls in Nigeria had undergone FGM, ranking third highest globally.

“This is a huge number that we cannot be blind or deaf to,” she said.

Lafoucriere said that despite being outlawed in Nigeria, FGM persists in numerous Nigerian communities, adding that the practice is fuelled by myths and traditions and should be acknowledged as detrimental

She emphasised that no cultural or traditional practice should compromise girls’ health, rights, or future prospects.

Lafoucriere noted, however, that collaborative efforts with stakeholders are driving a shift in the narrative

“The good news is that change is possible, and change is happening through collaborations and initiatives like the Movement for Good, which is led by the federal government of Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF.

“Millions of Nigerian girls , boys, men, women, aunties, uncles have pledged to protect girls from being cut. Communities are speaking out.

“Survivors, very crucially, are leading the way, and young people are demanding a better future. And this is where the media comes in.

Lafoucriere urged media practitioners to use their platforms to tell stories that would spark the needed change.

“This is where you have the power to shape narratives, to amplify survivors’ voices, and to challenge harmful practices to inspire families to choose differently for their daughters.

“Use your reach; use your platforms and your creativity to ensure that every single girl in Nigeria grows up free of female genital mutilation, free of that fear, free of that harmful possibility.

“Together, we can build a better future for every single girl in Nigeria, a safer future for every single girl in Nigeria. And every girl needs to be free to thrive, to survive, but also to thrive,” she said.

In her remarks, UNICEF Communication Officer, Lagos Field Office, Blessing Ejiofor noted that the workshop aims to ensure advocacy that would reach every nook and cranny in an effort to end the FGM practice in the country.

Ejiofor noted that while campaigns have led to a decline in FGM, the advocacy efforts aim for complete elimination.

The UNICEF communication specialist, who declared that no woman should undergo the harmful process of FGM, revealed that it was now a criminal offense in Nigeria to engage in it.

Ejiofor urged the media to use their medium to drive the advocacy in ending the practice.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information, Mr Rotimi Babalola said the workshop reflected the state government’s commitment to any issue related to children.

Babalola said the media advocacy was important, having done similar advocacy programs with security agencies and the judiciary for everyone to know their roles in the advocacy.

“We still have a lot of work to do; we have done several advocacy programs; it’s now the turn of the media.

“We have a lot of work to do on this campaign. Most of us have been in this campaign. We need extra efforts to totally eliminate FGM,” he said.

Babalola called on the media to sustain their collaboration in efforts to eliminate FGM nationwide.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti and Yetunde Fatungase

IHS, UNICEF partners donate Oxygen plant to Kano Govt
Health

IHS, UNICEF partners donate Oxygen plant to Kano Govt

Plant

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with IHS Nigeria, Canada and Norway Governments on Tuesday inaugurated and handed over a medical Oxygen plant to the Kano State Government at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital.

Mr Dapo Otunla, Vice President of IHS Nigeria, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said the facility was part of a nationwide project to strengthen oxygen supply for hospitals.

He said the plant, equipped with an advanced pressure swing absorption system, would provide critical life-saving interventions for newborns and children suffering from respiratory illnesses.

“What we witnessed today is the product of a partnership we announced with UNICEF in 2022 to strengthen oxygen supply for the treatment of pneumonia, COVID-19, and other hypoxia disorders, particularly among newborns and pregnant women.

“The programme has seen to the installation of nine oxygen plants across Nigeria in Rivers, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Yobe and Kano States,” Otunla said.

According to him, the plants became operational in March 2024 and have so far produced more than 103,000 litres of medical oxygen, serving an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 patients monthly.

He explained that beyond the infrastructure, the programme also built capacity by training healthcare workers to administer oxygen therapy safely and efficiently.

“For us at IHS Nigeria, sustainability and societal impact are at the very core of our DNA.

“This initiative not only strengthens healthcare systems but also demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing SDG 3 – good health and wellbeing,” Otunla said.

He also recalled that IHS Nigeria had recently refurbished the vandalised Digital Park in Kano, describing the oxygen plant project as another testament to the company’s commitment to improving lives.

Earlier, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mrs Wafaa Sa’eed, commended IHS Nigeria, the Governments of Canada and Norway, and other partners for their support.

Saeed described oxygen as “a life-saving matter” and said the project would greatly benefit children and patients in need of critical care.

“This project is fantastic, not only because of its health impact, but also because it runs on solar energy.

“At a time when climate change and high fuel costs are challenges, the solarisation makes it more sustainable,” she said.

The UNICEF representative lauded the Kano State Government for its leadership and commitment to health and education, stressing that human capital development remained the foundation of prosperity.

She assured that UNICEF and its partners would continue to work with governments to expand the initiative to more states.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran,  commended UNICEF and partners for the gesture.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aminu Bashir, he also restated the commitment of the state government to improving healthcare delivery.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

UNICEF, Niger Govt. unveil report on impact of insecurity on schools
General News

UNICEF, Niger Govt. unveil report on impact of insecurity on schools

By Rita Iliya

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Niger state Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education have unveiled a report highlighting the devastating impact of insecurity on education in the state.

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report was unveiled on Wednesday in Minna during a one-day dissemination on the impact of insecurity on access to learning in Niger State.

 

 

The study, which adopted a mixed-methods approach, collected primary and secondary data from 20 schools in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi Local Government Areas from 2020 to 2025.

 

 

According to the findings, 114 schools were shut down due to insecurity, with 29 re-opened.

 

 

In her remarks, Vanessa Lee, Chief of Education, UNICEF Nigeria, said that key findings revealed that insecurity had impacted access to quality learning, with various forms of communal conflict and criminal activities affecting the education system in the state.

 

 

Lee, represented by Mr Believe Eke, Education Specialist, UNICEF Abuja, said that the report offers evidence-based insights into the human, social, and economic consequences of ongoing insecurity.

 

 

She said that the report emphasised the importance of education in addressing insecurity.

 

 

“For the sake of our children, we are calling on the government, community stakeholders, development partners, and private partners to support the implementation of recommendations presented in the report,” she said.

 

 

She said that the report revealed that communities had adopted coping strategies to ensure continuity of learning despite adversity and disruption of schooling.

 

 

Also, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state, Dr Hadiza Mohammed, expressed concern over the impact of insecurity on education in the state.

 

 

“Insecurity has posed a serious threat to our education system, from the safety of learners and teachers to the very ability of schools to function effectively,” she said.

 

 

Mohammed said the state government was committed to ensuring every child had access to safe, inclusive and quality education.

 

 

According to her, out of 45 secondary schools shut due to insecurity, 33 have been reopened while 12 are yet to be opened.

 

 

Mohammed disclosed that the state government had created a stakeholder committee for school safety and education reform across the 25 local governments.

 

 

She appreciated UNICEF’s unwavering support for the study and the broader education sector.

 

 

Presenting the report, Mr Saviour Kolo, Consultant from Oxford report, said the key findings showed banditry and kidnapping as the most prevalent forms of insecurity in the state, with over 370 incidents reported between 2020 and 2025.

 

 

Kolo said the study revealed that 27 learners and 4 staff were abducted, while one learner was killed during the period under review.

 

 

He said that the study also found that insecurity had a significant impact on students and staff, with 83.7 per cent of students struggling to concentrate due to anxiety over potential security incidents.

 

 

“50 per cent of teachers in Rafi and 34.6 per cent in Munya reported that their lessons and examinations are frequently cancelled due to insecurity,” he said.

 

 

Kolo said that the study recommended support for livelihood recovery and social protection by tackling the root causes of insecurity through economic development and social welfare for conflict-affected households.

 

 

He added that the study’s findings also highlighted the urgent need for decisive, coordinated, and adequately funded interventions to address the impact of insecurity on education.

 

 

Kolo also said that the study recommended upgrading infrastructure in schools, setting up an early warning system, training teachers and older students in emergency response, and supporting community-based learning spaces, among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Ayodeji Alabi

School enrollment: UNICEF empowers 95,556 adolescents in Katsina
Education

School enrollment: UNICEF empowers 95,556 adolescents in Katsina

By Abbas Bamalli

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has empowered no fewer than 95,556 adolescent girls and boys in Katsina State with financial literacy, safe spaces and vocational skills.

Mr Muntaka Muhammad-Mukhtar, Education Specialist, UNICEF, Kano Field Office, disclosed this in his remarks in Katsina on Friday, during a community town-hall meeting.

Muhammad-Mukhtar said that the meeting was to assess and consolidate the gains of the Reaching and Empowering Adolescent Girls in NorthWest Nigeria (REACH) programme.

He explained that the REACH programme had been implemented across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state in the past two years.

According to him, the local government areas include Katsina, Kafur, Kankara, Rimi, Baure and Mani, adding that it was aimed at boosting school enrollment, retention and completion.

The education specialist disclosed that the beneficiaries were empowered with skills, such as knitting, crochet, henna design, cap making, throw pillow creation and other life-changing skills to enable them pursue their respective life careers.

Also speaking, the UNICEF Adolescent Development Specialist, Ngozi Izuora-Songu, said that out-of-school girls and those who survived Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were among those that benefited from the training and empowerment.

Izuora-Songu noted that the skills were expected to provide the girls with a foundation for income generation.

“The vocational skills acquired by the girls aligned with local market demands, making their products highly marketable within their communities and in urban centres,” she said.

She also said that medical test kits were donated to six health centers across three LGAs of the state to boost local healthcare capacity to support GBV survivors.

She added that no fewer than 150 traditional and religious leaders and law enforcement personnel, were sensitised on child protection and GBV at various training sessions across the state.

According to her, this engagement improved community responsiveness to GBV cases and strengthened local child protection structures.

“Health workers were trained in the proper use of these kits, which enable screenings for sexually transmitted infections and injuries and supporting timely medical interventions for survivors.”

Izuora-Songu described the meeting conducted across the six benefitting local government areas as a viable platform to evaluate the barriers to the transitioning of adolescent girls from primary to secondary school.

The specialist noted that the meeting also served as inclusive platforms to dialogue among key stakeholders, including adolescent girls, parents, principals, teachers, and education officials, allowing communities to reflect on the impact of REACH interventions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was organised by UNICEF, in collaboration with the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeanyi Olannye/Deborah Coker

Boosting development in Katsina through Child-sensitive Budgeting
Features

Boosting development in Katsina through Child-sensitive Budgeting

By Zubairu Idris, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

There is a popular saying that “children are the leaders of tomorrow”.

Far from being just a feel-good statement, it underscores the fundamental truth that the future of any nation depends on how well it nurtures its youngest population.

For Katsina State, where more than 4.5 million of its estimated 9.6 million people are children, the challenge of securing that future is both urgent and complex.

Poor child health outcomes, low school enrolment, and widespread poverty continue to jeopardise the life chances of millions of children.

Recognising this, stakeholders in the state, led by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), are calling for the institutionalisation of child-sensitive budgeting and planning as a key strategy for improving child development outcomes.

At a recent media dialogue in Katsina, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, said investment in children was “not only a moral obligation but an economic necessity.”

“Children are not just beneficiaries of our future, they are builders of it.

“This is why we need strategic and adequately funded actions embedded in planning and budgeting systems at every level,” he said.

Notably, Child-sensitive budgeting is an approach that ensures public budgets are planned, executed, and monitored in ways that directly respond to the needs and rights of children.

It involves allocating resources to critical sectors such as education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection, and early childhood development.

Globally, countries such as South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have made notable progress in integrating child-focused indicators into budget tracking and performance systems.

These efforts are typically guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Nigeria ratified in 1991.

In Nigeria, frameworks such as the Child Rights Act (2003), and the National Policy on Children (2021), provide policy backing for child-responsive governance.

However, implementation gaps remain significant, especially at the sub-national level.

UNICEF’s latest data on Katsina reveals a sobering reality.

While government commitment has increased in recent years, outcomes for children remain among the lowest in the country.

One in six children (159 per 1,000 live births) do not survive to their fifth birthday, a stark indicator of gaps in child healthcare services.

Only 41 per cent of children are fully immunised, leaving the majority vulnerable to life-threatening but preventable diseases.

Additionally, 75.5 per cent of children are classified as multi-dimensionally poor, lacking access to healthcare, education, nutrition, and other essential services, while 61.2 per cent live in monetary poverty.

The data reveals that about one-third of children are out of school at the primary level, undermining the state’s long-term human capital and economic prospects.

In terms of nutrition, only 23.4 per cent of children aged 6–23 months receive the minimum acceptable diet, and 51.3 per cent of under-five children are stunted.

This indicates chronic malnutrition with long-term effects on physical and cognitive development.

Although budgetary allocations to sectors like education and health have increased in recent years, actual releases and utilisation remain inconsistent.

Mr AbdurRahman Abdullahi, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina, shared his thoughts.

He said budget performance tracking from 2022 to 2024 revealed that actual releases for children-focused interventions were often lower than the approved allocations.

He identified limited fiscal autonomy, weak inter-agency coordination, and revenue constraints as major hurdles hampering effective implementation.

“The mismatch between budget approval and actual release has weakened impact, especially in rural areas,” he said.

“We need timely, adequate, and transparent financing”.

In response, the Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to child-sensitive financing.

Speaking at the media dialogue, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Malik Anas, said the 2026 appropriation would reflect stronger integration of child-focused planning.

Anas was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Tijjani Umar.

“Our ministry will ensure that all MDAs provide meaningful child-centred allocations during the upcoming budget cycle,” he said.

He added that training and budget review mechanisms were being strengthened.

Gov. Dikko Radda also made commitments during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, where he hosted orphans and children with special needs.

He pledged that his administration would continue to protect children’s rights and prioritise their welfare.

“Every child is our responsibility. We will continue to ensure that their rights to education, health, and overall well-being are fully protected.

“As a government, we are your parents and we are here to serve you.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to associate with you and give special attention.

“All children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we will do everything within our power to make that possible,” Radda assured.

Participants at the media dialogue also stressed the crucial role of journalists in budget tracking, amplifying children’s voices, and holding leaders accountable.

Representatives of various media houses pledged to report consistently on child development indicators, funding trends, and service delivery gaps.

They also committed to translating complex budget data into compelling stories that the public can easily understand.

Equally important are the contributions of communities, religious leaders, and traditional institutions, who often serve as first responders to the needs of vulnerable children.

Stakeholders urged these groups to remain engaged and proactive in advocating for quality education, primary healthcare, child protection, and youth development at the grassroots level.

UNICEF and other development partners including Save the Children, the World Bank, and the European Union, have supported child-focused initiatives in Katsina over the years.

These initiatives include immunisation campaigns, school feeding programmes, and nutrition projects.

However, stakeholders stressed that the long-term sustainability of child-focused programmes depends largely on the ability of local governments to incorporate these priorities into their own budgeting and planning processes.

Mohammed-Farah emphasised the need to shift from reliance on donor support to increased domestic resource mobilisation.

“It’s time to move from donor dependency to domestic resource mobilisation.

“Investing in children today helps prevent higher social and economic costs in the future,” he said.

He noted investment in children’s welfare was the most strategic decision the government can make.

“It is an investment in Katsina’s future workforce. It is an investment that can break the cycle of poverty, enhance community resilience, and promote lasting peace and development,” he added.

Mohammed-Farah also warned that insufficient and poorly planned investments in children could lead to serious long-term consequences.

“Malnourished and uneducated children are less likely to become productive adults. Children without adequate protection are more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and recruitment by criminal groups,” he said.

He further explained that addressing the outcomes of neglect; such as poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and insecurity, costs far more than making early, preventive investments in child development.

“That is why we say prevention is cheaper than cure,” he noted.

In conclusion, stakeholders emphasised that child-sensitive budgeting is not merely a financial exercise but a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the lives of children.

They noted that if the Katsina State Government fully implements its child-focused budget plans, it can lead to measurable improvements in child health, education, and protection.

This, they said, requires timely release of allocated funds and a strong commitment to transparency in public spending.

They further stressed that effective coordination among relevant ministries and agencies is essential to ensure that resources are used efficiently and reach the intended beneficiaries.

Such an approach, they added, would help lay a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable development in the state. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

 

UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. Launch Digital Skills Training Centre for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children
Education

UNICEF, Sokoto Govt. Launch Digital Skills Training Centre for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children

Education
By Habibu Harisu
The Sokoto State Government has on Tuesday inaugurated a digital skills training centre to empower Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and supported by ELEVA Foundation.

Gov. Ahmad Aliyu in his remarks during the inauguration said that the effort was a significant one to tackle educational disparity and promote digital inclusion among residents.

Aliyua also said that the initiative tagged ”Digital Village” was designed to equip underserved youths with essential digital skills, as well as prepare them for opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven world.

He expressed gratitude to UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for its ongoing support, particularly in education and nutrition in the state.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups and ensuring inclusive development across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Jabi, lauded the governor’s administration for the visionary approach and development-focused leadership.

Abubakar reaffirmed the traditional institution’s unwavering support for the governor’s Smart Agenda, a comprehensive nine-point development plan.

UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, described the Digital Village as a structured learning hub, offering training sessions three times a week.

”By equipping these underserved children with digital skills, we are building their capacity to thrive in a tech-driven world,” she said.

Munduate, who was represented by Micheal Juma, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, said the digital village was designed to improve access to quality learning opportunities by leveraging technological literacy and youth innovation trough structured training sessions.

She said the centre targets 250 children in first cohort, with local languages, foundation literacy, vocational, numeracy and livelihood skills tailored into the curriculum.

According to her, the village will serve as safe space for mentorship and life skills development toward boosting economic independence and social inclusion.

”It will also serve as pivotal move towards empowering vulnerable youth with essential digital and vocational skills,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders as well as various leaders in the state who were present at the event pledged their commitments to the success of the centre. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker

UNICEF seeks harmonised Govt. efforts in WASH
Environment

UNICEF seeks harmonised Govt. efforts in WASH

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged government agencies to collaborate and optimise resources effectively and prevent duplication in WASH projects across Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states.

UNICEF WASH Officer at the Kano Field Office, Mrs Stella Terver, made this appeal on Friday in Zaria.

She spoke during a three-day Institutional WASH System Strengthening Review Meeting for the three states.

Terver emphasised the need to enhance coordination, collaboration, and synergy between agencies to strengthen the WASH system in these states.

“System strengthening is about improving coordination and ensuring that agencies work together rather than in isolation,” she said.

She noted that UNICEF had been supporting the governments of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa for years to improve institutional WASH services.

According to her, the current focus, is on reviewing progress and ensuring that states adhere to agreed action plans.

“We are assessing how far we’ve come and how well the states have implemented the agreed actions,” Terver said.

She added that the review was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of WASH system strengthening efforts, particularly in fostering collaboration among different agencies.

“The purpose of this meeting is to critically examine how well system strengthening has worked in each state.

“We also want to determine whether these efforts have improved collaboration and reduced duplication of resources,” she said.

According to her, UNICEF is assessing the roles of key agencies—including the Ministry of Education, SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board), and Primary Health Care (PHC).

“This is to ensure their activities align with those of RUWASA (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency)”.

According to her, lack of coordination among these agencies often leads to project duplication and unnecessary resource wastage.

“System strengthening is about teamwork. In some schools, you might find an existing WASH facility, yet another one is being built, while other schools have none at all,” she noted.

Terver noted that closing these gaps through improved collaboration was essential to ensuring more children benefitted from WASH services.

A WASH expert, Dr Ishaku Ziyok, specialising in system strengthening, shared his observations from visiting the three states.

He noted that institutional strengthening efforts were beginning to yield results, with key agencies such as RUWASA, SUBEB, and PHCDA (Primary Health Care Development Agency) working more closely together.

According to him, this synergy is already helping to prevent project duplication, as schools in genuine need of support are being identified, especially for solar-powered boreholes.

Some participants, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed satisfaction with the executed projects in the states.

They, however, pointed out that overlapping projects could lead to wasteful spending and hinder progress in crucial sectors like health, education, and water sanitation.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Niger, GAVI, UNICEF celebrate PHC partnership
Health

Niger, GAVI, UNICEF celebrate PHC partnership

By Rita Iliya

Niger government, in collaboration with Global Alliance Initiative (GAVI) and UNICEF, has celebrated the close-out of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening the state’s primary healthcare system.

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger disclosed this when he received officials from GAVI and UNICEF during a courtesy visit as part of activities for close out of GAVI supported primary healthcare system strengthening in Minna on Tuesday.

Bago expressed gratitude to partners for supporting the state’s primary healthcare initiative, aimed at promoting healthcare services and child birth registration.

He disclosed that the partnership received seed money of about N6 million dollars, which the state government matched with an additional N1 million dollars.

He revealed that the state was working towards a more developed system, where tele-medicine services would be provided across primary healthcare centres.

“This will enable partners to assist from a distance, especially in areas where manpower is scarce.

“The state government also plan to deploy tele-medicine facilities across all primary healthcare centres, provide internet services, and build doctors’ accommodations to house medical personnel within the facilities,” he said.

Bago disclosed that in the next six months, the state plans to launch a drone vaccine delivery project to reach hard-to-reach areas, leveraging technology to bridge the gap.

According to him, with tele-medicine, doctors will be able to diagnose patients remotely, and nurses at the stations can dispense medication accordingly.

In his remarks, Dr Shyam Pathak, Chief of Health, UNICEF, acknowledged the governor’s achievements in recruiting 1,500 new health staff, retaining 400 health staff and procuring medical equipment.

He said that this has provided access to quality health services for vulnerable populations.

He also commended the contributions of traditional and religious institutions toward strengthening the primary healthcare system.

Pathak advocated for increased investment, oversight, and improvement in sustaining the project, retaining health workers, maintaining equipment, and sustaining the mechanism of operation of services and data documentation.

He also solicited support to reach children and households displaced by insecurity, as well as nomadic and pastoral populations, with health services such as immunisation, birth registration, education, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

He noted that UNICEF supports human growth and development of every child through multi-sector programming along with health.

Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Sesay, Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF, commended Niger government for its commitment to birth registration, saying the state had made significant progress in registering children under five years.

Sesay stated that the MOU between Niger government and the UN system had yielded positive results, with over 400,000 children registered in 2024, exceeding the 100 per cent target.

“This achievement is due to the leadership style of the governor and the commitment of the Commissioner of Health, National Population Commission, and other stakeholders,” he said.

Sesay also announced that UNICEF would integrate services to issue national identification numbers to registered children, enabling the tracking of unimmunised children and identifying gaps in the system.

Similarly, Dr Alex Chimbaru, WHO representative, commended the governor for his commitment to ensuring the project’s success, adding that there had been a decrease in maternal and infant mortality rates.

Chimbaru attributed the success to the governor’s commitment and the community’s hard work, emphasising that sustainability was crucial to maintaining the progress made.

Chimbaru urged the state government to continue monitoring its indicators and indices to ensure that the progress made was sustained.

In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger, disclosed that the programme had made tremendous progress in reducing maternal and infant mortalities in the state. (NAN)
RIS/IS

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF
Environment

Water to become precious commodity in Nigeria – UNICEF

Water

By Muhammad Nasir

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised an alarm that water could soon become a highly precious commodity in Nigeria.

UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Christiane Munduate, issued the warning during an interview with journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.

Munduate warned that, if authorities in Nigeria failed to address environmental challenges and combat the effects of climate change, there would be water scarcity across several communities.

She said that environmental degradation and improper waste management practices were aggravating water scarcity in the country.

The UNICEF official urged the authorities to enforce existing laws to curb the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic and polythene materials, which were harming the environment.

“In Nigeria, water will become the most precious commodity or product in the future.

“This will surpass the current value of solid minerals, oil and gas resources,” she warned.

Munduate, who was on a working visit to the North West, also expressed concerns about the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes.

She stated that the practice was worsening the effects of climate change.

She called on governments at all levels to prioritise the provision of clean water, emphasising its role in preventing diseases and improving public health.  (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Christiana Fadare

Bridging Katsina’s immunisation coverage gap via music
Features

Bridging Katsina’s immunisation coverage gap via music

By Zubairu Idris, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Available statistics from the UNICEF shows that Nigeria accounts for over two million un-immunised children, including zero dose children globally.

According to health experts, zero dose children are children that lack access to or were never reached by routine immunisation service providers.

The UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, said recently that there are over 500,000 unimmunised children in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, perhaps the worst hit region in the country.

He said this in Kano at the inauguration of a immunisation song entitled: “No More Zero Dose” aimed at motivating parents to give their children and wards more access to immunisation services.

Mohammed-Farah said the song featured some top music stars and UNICEF supporters from Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Cameroon and Guinea, like Cobhams, WAJE, Master Soumy, Sekouba Bambino and Ali Nuhu, among others.

“The #NoMoreZeroDose song sheds the light on the urgent and critical need for increased immunisation coverage in West and Central Africa.

“We, therefore, need to spread the message through this song of the importance of immunisation, and the imperative of getting every child under five fully immunised,” he urged.

According to him, in Katsina State alone, there are 171,491 zero dose children, pointing out that “zero dose children are at risk of vaccine preventable diseases, including polio”.

Experts urge UNICEF to produce the song in the local languages, especially the country’s three major languages namely: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, for it to make desired impact.

To change the narrative in Katsina State, the state government in collaboration with development partners such as UNICE continue to evolve strategies to ensure that all eligible children are immunised.

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda recently said that: “vaccination is a fundamental right of every child”.

He said this at the inauguration of healthcare and routine immunisation coordination center, incinerator and distribution of 163 motorcycles to health workers.

Radda said healthy children were the foundation of any prosperous society, adding that it was the duty of his administration to eliminate all barriers to immunisation and other health services.

“With these motorcycles, our health workers will be better equipped to reach remote and un-served areas, ensuring that no child is left behind,” he said.

Mohammed-Farah explained that the UN institution supported Katsina government with the 163 motorcycles as part of the strategies to reach all eligible children across the state.

“They are part of the GAVI-funded Primary Healthcare Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“It is a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening Routine Immunisation (RI) and primary healthcare systems to reduce morbidity and mortality, amongst children,” Mohammed-Farah said.

Meanwhile, UNICEF in collaboration with Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHIN) of Katsina governor’s wife, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko-Radda, inaugurated another strategy called: “Gender Mainstreaming,” popularly known in local parlance as: “Majalisar Rigakafi”.

Zulaihat said the initiative was aimed at increasing immunisation acceptance by engaging male parents in routine immunisation and other primary healthcare-related issues.

“Over the years, we have made remarkable progress in improving access to healthcare.

“However, some challenges remain low immunisation uptake, misconceptions about the vaccines, and limited access to primary healthcare services.

“It is evident if we are to succeed in overcoming these challenges, we must adopt innovative, community-focused strategies that leverage the collective power of our people,” she said.

She said the new strategy was a platform that empowers both men and women to engage in open informal discussions about immunisation, antenatal care, child nutrition, and other primary healthcare services.

“In many communities, women bear the primary responsibility for health of their families, yet, they face barriers such as lack of support from their male counterparts or cultural norms that limit their decision-making power.

“Another unique feature of this initiative is its reliance on informal settings where people feel comfortable and heard, whether is a conversation under a tree, in market square, or during a family gathering.

“These interactions create opportunities to share accurate health information, dispel myths, and inspire action,” Zulaihat said.

Speaking as a panelist at the event, Takudzuwa Kanyangara, UNICEF Gender Development Manager, said recent Demographic and Health Survey showed good news for Katsina state on immunisation uptake.

“The good news is that, in Katsina State, the rate of immunisation is higher than 45 per cent.

“Gender plays a crucial role in both polio and routine immunisation efforts, as men are often the decision makers in households,” she said.

Still, in a goodwill message, the UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, represented by UNICEF Health Specialist, Hajiya Saudat Basheer, believed that engagement of men and fathers would significantly improve the immunisation coverage.

“Our children should not be dying from diseases that are easily preventable with vaccines.

“Fathers and men have come together to help us achieve the goal of zero dose and polio-free Katsina State.

“Our vision is to scale up this initiative so that all men and fathers become committed members, dedicated to making a difference in improving immunisation coverage and supporting global polio eradication,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHDA), Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, said the government engaged community health extension workers and midwives to boost healthcare services for women and children under the GAVI initiative.

Yahaya said that 1,260 community health influencers and promoters were trained to providing effective primary healthcare services, including routine immunisation in rural communities.

He further said the government rehabilitated 102 primary healthcare centres to boost healthcare services delivery for children and women, especially in rural areas across the state, among other.

Yahaya, during the distribution of the 163 motorcycles to health workers, identified insecurity as one of the major factors responsible for the law coverage of the immunisation in the communities affected by the menace.

He added that inadequate health workers was also hindering effective primary healthcare services delivery, as the state has only about 1,700 primary healthcare facilities.

“As we know, a lot of health workers are retiring, if we can have automatic replacement policy, it will go a long way to address human resources challenge in future,” he advised.

He also called for upward review of casual workers salary from N10,000 to at least N30,000 per month due to the current economic situation in the country.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Musa Adamu, also said that health is among the priority sectors of the present administration in the state.

According to Adamu, the state government will continue to take measures to boost effective healthcare service delivery.

However, in spite these efforts, the sector encounter some challenges that affect immunisation coverage and effective healthcare service delivery in the state.

Stakeholders should partner to comprehensively address all factors militating against immunistion, child survival and maternal health, says a health expert, Abdulbasir Kabir.

Some of the factors, he said, are misconceptions, poverty, and lack of commitment from the health workers.

On his part, Malam Abdulkadir Waisu, a gender advocate, said sometimes, parents deny their children and wards access to immunisation if they reacted to the previous one they took.

Whatever the challenges maybe experts urge governments and their development partners to intensify immunisation campaign through religious leaders and traditional rulers.

They say doing so would increase immunisation coverage and make children healthier with other multipliers implications for their future. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

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