The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, has commended the Sokoto State Government for its sustained investments in children’s health, education and digital innovation, describing the initiatives as a demonstration of what strong leadership and effective partnerships can achieve.
Russell made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Sokoto, where she praised the state’s commitment to improving the lives of children through collaborative efforts involving government, development partners and local communities.
She said visits to health and education facilities showcased the positive impact of these partnerships, while engagements with health workers, teachers, local officials and mothers reflected a shared determination to give every child the best possible start in life.
The UNICEF Executive Director also applauded the creativity and aspirations of children and young people whom she met during the visit, noting that they underscored the importance of sustained investment in the younger generation.
According to her, earlier discussions with Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, members of the diplomatic community, private sector leaders and young Nigerians highlighted both the challenges confronting Nigerian children and the country’s vast potential.
“Every child who is healthy, learning and protected strengthens not only their own future but also the future of their community, this state and the nation,” Russell said.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Sokoto State Government, development partners, communities and young people to ensure every child survives, thrives, learns and reaches their full potential.
Speaking during the visit, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, represented by his deputy, Idris Gobir, expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its sustained support and interventions across the state.
He said the partnership had strengthened efforts to improve healthcare delivery, education and child welfare while thanking UNICEF for including Sokoto among the states visited by its Executive Director during her mission to Nigeria.
Aliyu said his administration remained committed to improving maternal and child health through free medical care, the renovation of healthcare facilities and investments in better learning environments.
He disclosed that the state government had recruited more than 1,500 nurses and midwives for deployment to rural health facilities, alongside 2,440 community health extension workers to strengthen primary healthcare services.
The governor added that the administration had expanded access to potable water through major water projects and the construction of boreholes in both rural and urban communities.
According to him, collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners has led to the establishment of 10 integrated Qur’anic schools across 10 local government areas to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He further stated that child-friendly centres and ICT training facilities had been established, while 2,720 Almajiri and other out-of-school children had received vocational training and start-up support to improve their livelihoods.
Aliyu, however, noted that insecurity remains a major obstacle to healthcare and education, with attacks in some communities resulting in the destruction of schools and health facilities.
He appealed to UNICEF and other development partners to provide additional support for rebuilding damaged health and educational infrastructure to ensure that children and mothers continue to have access to safe and quality services.
