By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Katsina and Kano States Government, as part of strategy to improve on successes already recorded over the years, in promoting Child Survival and Development are developing a five years work plan for 2018 to 2022.
The work plan when developed would be the first in the current UNICEF country programme for 2018, which covers Katsina and Kano States partners from Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH and Media.
Some of the key aspects expected in the work plan includes; sustaining the momentum of progressive results being achieved and report accordingly.
Promotional advance announcement of key events, report on programme convergence results. Field visit to monitor interventions to enhance UNICEF, Govt and Donors visibility.
Periodic Social Media content and traditional (print, online and broadcast) to highlight collaboration and outcomes, media participation at mid and end of year review meetings and report on key results. And a possible documentary on Child malnutrition intervention results.
Speaking on Friday at the closing of the states engagement planning meeting which started on Tuesday in Kaduna, Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, said both governments must be ready and determine to give required attention for proper implementation of intervention programmes in the next five year and beyond.
“The commitment we are talking about here of course is funding, government must take the issue of funding very seriously and give the programme the deserved attention.
“Data collection too is very important, and there is need for synergy between government agencies, we also need to start working our talk by involving new strategies that will give us different results. Alhaji Usman added.
He said for the public to appreciate what government is doing, they need to be empowered both economically and educationally, saying, educating the people will also help them to harness what they have adequately.
Alhaji Usman, thank UNICEF for her support for Katsina and Kano States, over the years and called participants to drive the entire process that will lead to effective implementation of the work plan.
On her part, Chief of UNICEF Katsina Field Office, Padmavathi Yedla Noted that because of the huge successes recorded in the partnership with the two states on Child Survival over the years, that is why UNICEF is interested to renew it’s commitment for another five year with them.
She said Global record showed that Nigeria bears much burden in reaching SDGs, thus this country plan to offers many opportunities to bring
winds of changes with technology, innovations and going to communities.
Padmavathi Yedla, added that, Katsina and Kano afford to leave so many children behind, We cannot achieve sustainable development goals if these numbers do not see downward or upward trends.
“Though, Globally more children are living to their 5th Birthday, more children are school, more children are immunized, more children have access to safe water, mber SAM children have reduced. Unfortunately, in Kano and Katsina latest MICS indicates reversal of many achievements since 201.” She said.
According to her, enrolment of children – especially girls in early learning and primary school is expected toreduce out-of-school children and improve quality.
It is also expected that routine immunization of all children by age one year with the required antigens including polio will be achieved.
Other areas targeted are; Feeding, hygiene and sanitation practices to reduce high levels of stunting prevent and treat severe acute malnutrition of children under 5, and attitudes, practices and beliefs that perpetuate gender discrimination to reduce child marriage and violence unite for children.
