Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba said the alignment of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Programme (2023-2027) with Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2021-2025 would largely contribute to the achievement of the strategic outcomes of the medium-term plan.
Agba said this in his opening remarks at a breakfast meeting to mark the presentation of the 2023-2027 programme of cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the UNICEF on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that the breakfast meeting was very important in deepening the existing cordial relationship between Nigerian government and the UNICEF as it would provide an opportunity for the Fund to share the achievements made during the implementation of the 2018-2022 Country Programme as well as present the major priority areas of the five0years new Country Programme (2023-2027).
According to him, “The UNICEF Nigeria Country Programme (2023-2027), derived from the strategic priorities of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, is designed to contribute towards achieving the goals of the National development Plan (NDP 2021-2025), which focuses on securing rapid inclusive growth, supporting economic and social equity and human capital development, among others.”
He said that UNICEF Country Programmes (2023-2027) aimed to address some of Nigeria’s key national development challenges, which included youth unemployment; maternal, infant and under-five mortality; out-of-school children; access to basic water services; and, violence against children.”
Represented by his Special Assistant (Media and Strategic Communication), Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo on the occasion, the Minister said: “It is expected that the Programme, given its alignment with out national development priorities, will go a long way in contributing to the achievements of the planned outcomes of NDP (2021-2025).”
Agba expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to effectively collaborate with the UNICEF in the implementation of its new Country Programme (2023-2027) for Nigeria, given its potential for contributing to all-inclusive growth and development.
He also, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, acknowledged the unflinching support of UNICRF and the UN System in Nigeria for its efforts towards improving the lives of the Nigerian citizens, especially women and children by addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities through the various supports.
Agba implored all stakeholders present at the meeting to participate actively in the implementation of UNICEF Nigeria Country Programme (2023-2027) to achieve its deliverables.
In her welcome remarks, Nigeria Country Representative of UNICEF, Cristian Munduate ran the participant through the synopsis of the 2023-2027 country programme.
Over the life of the Country Programme, UNICEF she said, “seeks to mobilise US$845 million to support women and children in Nigeria.
UNICEF is working to ensure that every child in Nigeria, especially the most excluded, survives, thrives and learns in a safe and sustainable climate and environment, pointing out that “by supporting systems that eliminate poverty, children can be protected and develop into their full potential.
“Our joint programming approach with other United Nations agencies utilizes child-sensitive programming to reduce vulnerabilities and address climate change and disaster risks.”
The Fund said that the 102 million children that live in Nigeria, making up 49 per cent of the population, nearly a half of all the children live below the poverty line and rank number two in the world for stunting and mortality of children under five years.
It said that one in four children were out of school, 10.2 million were of primary school age; 8.1 million were of secondary school age and 2.1 were Almajiri children; adding that 1.4 million children suffered from severe acute malnutrition.
According to UNICEF, 1,7 percent was allocated to WASH, leaving a 64.1 percent gap for improved rural sanitation. It stated that 43 percent of children under age five “have had their births not registered.”
It listed the challenges before it to include the 12.8 million people affected by armed conflict and violence, 38 million people that practise open defecation, 33 percent of children under five years that are stunted and 1 out 4 children of primary school age that are not in school.
Munduate listed key results of their programme’s interventions in 2018-2022 to include: 57 percent of children who were vaccinated against five life-threatening diseases; zero-dose strategy to reach underserved children in the 100 most deprived local government areas in 18 states; 58 million children vaccinated against polio; 23 million children received two doses of Vitamin A in 2022; 600,000 children reached with live-saving nutrition treatment in 2022.
The contributions also included 1.5 million girls enrolled in school using a new evidence-based approach; 5 million children continued learning using radio, television and home-based materials; 7,500 community learning hubs established in 16 states; and 1.75 million children with improved literacy and numeracy skills.
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