By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Kaduna State Government, led by Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai on Friday, said that the state will partner with UNICEF for comprehensive quality service delivery to the people in area of health, education and nutrition
The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said this when she received the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mr Peter Hawkins who came to Government House on a working visit in Kaduna.
According to her, Kaduna State Government is a strong unit of human capital development where its citizens are top priority.
She said, we are looking at all issues under human capital whether it is health, education and other related areas.
Dr. Hadiza has expressed the gratitude of Kaduna State to UNICEF for its support to the state in many areas.
The deputy governor thanked the Head of the UNICEF Kaduna office for his services and wished him success in his new assignment in India.
Earlier in his remarks, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mr Peter Hawkins said the aim of his visit to government house is about partnership between UNICEF and Kaduna State Government.
Mr Hawkins said UNICEF will continue to partner with the state government with focus around children, health education, protection and education for the children on the streets and Almajiri.
While they will be working with the team on documentation and identification of those while exploring different ways of ensuring safe schools and safe school initiative in Kaduna.
“We could do well with the whole digitisation and access to learning through digital means.
“As you know, the learning passport was launched month ago and which is an online, mobile and soon-to-be offline learning platform that will provide continuous education to three million learners in 2022.
“It’s means that any teacher or child who has the means can access the curriculum through an app which is easy for a child “We have to believe in children using technology to advance themselves and teaching at the right levels which allows numeracy and literacy and integrates the Quranic school curriculum for great Quranic teaching”, he said.
“We talk about education and the importance of education management information systems and save schools and how to ensure that children are able to go to school safely and get quality education.
“While on the issue of out of school children, specially those on the street, looking at informal education teaching at the right level which last for numeracy and literacy.”
He said they talked about nutrition and prevention and stunting in Kaduna State, which is around 32 per cent which is good.
“But we have more work to look at like nutrients supplementation which costs N6,000 per child in their first year for two years.
He noted that, on the issue of health, Kaduna as one of the MoU states is progressing very well on the issue.
“He added that, “Kaduna State COVID vaccine 55,000 persons are being vaccinated per day Which will be integrated into vaccinating children against measles and other disease.”
He said, the issue of integration as an important part of partnership and to strengthen the partnership in going forward.
