From Muhammad Gazali Garba
The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ms. Catherine Russell, has commended the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu,for his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and women through strategic investments in healthcare, education, nutrition, water supply, skills development, and child protection.
Ms. Russell gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House, Sokoto, as part of her official mission to Nigeria. She was accompanied by the UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Mr. Cristian Munduate, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Sokoto, Dr. Michael Juma, and other senior UNICEF officials.
Speaking during the visit, the UNICEF Executive Director said she was impressed by the progress recorded by the Sokoto State Government in advancing child-focused programmes.
She noted that the delegation had witnessed significant efforts in literacy, vocational and life-skills training, mental health services, routine immunisation, nutrition, and other initiatives designed to improve the well-being of children and young people.
She stated that UNICEF believes Nigeria has the potential to become a global model of political leadership that translates sound policies into measurable improvements in the lives of children. She added that the organisation looks forward to working closely with the Sokoto State Government to document, showcase, and promote its achievements as a model for other states in Nigeria and beyond.
Recalling Nigeria’s certification as free of the wild poliovirus in 2020, Ms. Russell described the achievement as proof that even the most complex public health challenges can be overcome through visionary leadership, effective community engagement, and strong partnerships. She stressed the importance of sustaining these gains by ensuring that every child receives routine immunisation, underserved communities are reached, and disease surveillance systems remain robust.
She further applauded Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s vision for strengthening healthcare, education, and skills development, noting that investments in children represent investments in human capital and sustainable economic growth.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Sokoto State in strengthening public institutions, improving service delivery, generating evidence for informed decision-making, and accelerating measurable progress in child survival and development.
Responding, on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu,Deputy Governor Engineer Idris Muhammad Gobir,welcomed the UNICEF Executive Director and her delegation to Sokoto State and expressed profound appreciation to UNICEF for its longstanding partnership and invaluable support in improving the lives of children, women, and vulnerable communities.
The Governor said that since assuming office, his administration has prioritised investments in healthcare, education, water supply, and social protection.
He disclosed that the state government has recruited over 1,500 nurses and midwives and deployed them to health facilities across the state, particularly in rural communities. In addition, 2,440 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) have been recruited to strengthen service delivery at Primary Healthcare Centres.
He also highlighted the administration’s efforts to improve access to potable water through the construction and rehabilitation of water schemes and the drilling of boreholes in rural and densely populated communities.
The deputy Governor ,further outlined several achievements recorded through the state’s collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners.
These include the establishment of 10 Integrated Qur’anic Schools across ten Local Government Areas to address the challenge of out-of-school children; the establishment of two Child-Friendly Centres and two Care Coordination Centres for malnourished and vulnerable children; the graduation of 2,723 beneficiaries from vocational and life-skills training programmes with starter packs to support self-reliance; and the establishment of an ICT Centre for the training of out-of-school children at Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Primary School, Sokoto.
He acknowledged UNICEF’s technical and financial support through programmes funded by the European Union, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the SARAH Programme, UNFPA, and other development partners.
Gobir noted that these interventions have contributed significantly to reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality, strengthening healthcare systems, and expanding access to quality education.
While acknowledging the progress made,Engineer Gobir observed that insecurity has affected some schools and healthcare facilities in parts of the state. He appealed to UNICEF for additional support to rehabilitate and equip health and educational institutions in affected communities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners to ensure that every child in Sokoto State has access to quality healthcare, education, nutrition, protection, and opportunities to realise their full potential.
