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Tag: UNICEF

  • UNICEF, WFP okay €20m for peace building in northeast

    UNICEF, WFP okay €20m for peace building in northeast

    The German Government, through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF ) and World Food Programme (WFP), has set aside a €20million fund to build resilience and a dignified future for Borno and Yobe states communities in northeast Nigeria.

    The UN agencies, announced that the project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank.

    UNICEF deputy representative Nigeria,   Rownak Khan, while speaking jointly during the launching of the project with the theme: “Jointly Resilience and Social Cohesion in North-East Nigeria phase 2″ held in Maiduguri yesterday said  that the project would target 200,000 people.

    She noted that the project aimed to solidify the achievements recorded in phase 1 where over 150,000 people access essential services, and 40,000 out-of- school children return to class as well as over 300, 000 people now have access to safe water.

    ” We are here today because we believe that resilience is not just a concept- it is a right. And peace is not a goal, it is a necessity for every child, every woman, and every household in northeast Nigeria,” she said. Over the past four years, our life-sustaining support reached countless adolescent girls, female-head households, and persons with disabilities.

    Read Also: UNICEF urges increased budget for children’s welfare

    “Today’s launch is more than just a programme inauguration, it is a call to actions for deeper partnership, for shared accountability, for coordinated planning, for increased state financing, and for sustained community engagement.”

    WFP country director in Nigeria, David Stevenson, said the second phase will expand the achievements of the first intervention by increasing access to essential services, food security and peacebuilding initiatives reaching more than 200,000 people.

    He emphasised that years of armed conflict in Northeast Nigeria has taken a devastating toll on livelihood opportunities, social cohesion and the well-being of children and women.

    He added that insecurity, combined with the escalating effects of climate change, has displaced families, destroyed agricultural livelihoods—the region’s economic mainstay—and contributed to growing food insecurity among vulnerable households and acute malnutrition among children.

    “The program is funded with 20 million EURO by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW Development Bank.

    The joint project, focusing on resilience and peacebuilding, is being implemented by UNICEF and WFP in partnership with the governments of Borno and Yobe states,” Stevenson said.

     “Food insecurity in Northeast Nigeria remains one of the most critical challenges, exacerbated by climate and economic hardship. I thank the support of the German Government, climate-adaptive food systems have been revitalized, improving nutrition and economic outcomes for the most vulnerable.

    “Phase II will ensure these gains are extended to additional communities in Borno and Yobe states. To broaden its impact, the project will extend into four additional local government areas: Bama and Konduga in Borno State, Potiskum and Jakusko in Yobe State.”

  • Fencing Federation, UNICEF partner for youth dev’t

    Fencing Federation, UNICEF partner for youth dev’t

    In a landmark effort to promote youth empowerment and social inclusion through sport, the Nigerian Fencing Federation (NFF), with the support of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), is exploring a strategic partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    The initiative aims to leverage fencing as a transformative tool for child development, education, peace building, and sustainable growth across Nigeria and potentially the African continent.

    The high-level meeting took place at UNICEF Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos during the recently concluded 23rd African Fencing Championships. Attending the meeting were FIE Secretary-General Gulnora Saidova, African Fencing Confederation President Mbagnick Ndiaye, and NFF President Adeyinka Samuel, who met with senior representatives of UNICEF Nigeria to discuss a collaborative framework for the initiative.

    UNICEF Nigeria was represented by Ronak Khan, Deputy Representative (Programmes); Kundra Bharat, Skill Development and Youth Empowerment Specialist; and Emmanuel Bamidele, Youth Engagement and Partnership Officer. Also present were Novak Perovic, FIE Vice President and African Confederation Vice President; Obinna Anyanwu, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Executive Committee Member; and Rachael Samuel, Vice President of the Nigerian Fencing Federation.

    During the meeting, NFF President Adeyinka Samuel shared the federation’s vision to use fencing as a catalyst for social change and youth development. The discussions highlighted the vast potential of the partnership to positively impact communities across Nigeria and Africa.

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    FIE Secretary-General Gulnora Saidova remarked: “At the FIE, we are committed to developing fencing globally—not only as a sport but as a platform for social and cultural development. We are thrilled about the opportunities discussed with UNICEF Nigeria and deeply value the potential of this collaboration to enhance lives across Africa and beyond.”

    Samuel added: “This partnership is a major step toward using fencing to empower and uplift young people across Nigeria. We are proud to scale our grassroots efforts into a national movement for education, inclusion, and opportunity through sport.”

    UNICEF Nigeria expressed strong interest in the proposal, noting its alignment with their core objectives, including child protection, youth engagement, skill development, and peace building through sport. The organization confirmed its capacity for nationwide implementation through existing youth programs and structures. If finalized, this would mark UNICEF Nigeria’s first sports-based development initiative.

    The proposed collaboration is poised to become a landmark program for youth and fencing development in Africa, with all parties committed to building a scalable, impactful model for long-term success.

  • UNICEF urges increased budget for children’s welfare

    UNICEF urges increased budget for children’s welfare

    As Nigeria joins other African nations to commemorate the 2025 International Day of the African Child, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the federal and state governments to significantly increase budgetary allocations for children’s health, education, nutrition, protection, and social welfare.

    Speaking during a media dialogue organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office for South-West Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere, stressed the urgent need for greater investments in child-focused programmes.

    Themed “Planning and Spending for Children’s Rights,” the event was part of activities marking June 16, a day first observed in 1991 to honour the 1976 Soweto Uprising and advocate for the rights of African children.

    Lafoucriere highlighted that millions of Nigerian children—particularly the most vulnerable—are still denied basic rights such as clean water, proper nutrition, healthcare, and quality education.

    She advocated for child-centred budgeting, urging authorities to integrate children’s needs across all ministries and government departments, rather than treating child welfare as an isolated issue.

    “In states like Lagos, families shoulder much of the education costs. Meanwhile, malnutrition rates in the southwest remain alarmingly high. We must ensure government spending reflects the real needs of children,” she said.

    Read Also: Sokoto, UNICEF launch polio OBR round 2, deploy over 2,700 teams for campaign

    To improve transparency and accountability, Lafoucriere highlighted that UNICEF has supported the Lagos State Government in developing a budget code system that tracks every naira spent on children, regardless of which ministry it comes from. “This allows for visibility, measurement, and better planning,” she added.

    UNICEF’s Programme and Social Policy Manager in Lagos, Muhammad Okorie, stressed the importance of using data to identify budget gaps and ensure that government spending targets the most deprived areas. “Budgets must be inclusive and reflect the realisation of children’s rights without discrimination,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event, the Director of Budget at the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Orojimi Abiodun, affirmed the state government’s commitment to children’s welfare. He said children-related initiatives, such as education, healthcare, immunisation, and nutrition, remain key pillars in the state’s THEMES development agenda.

    UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to working with the media and other stakeholders to consistently remind the government of its duty to uphold the rights of Nigerian children.

  • Sokoto, UNICEF launch polio OBR round 2, deploy over 2,700 teams for campaign

    Sokoto, UNICEF launch polio OBR round 2, deploy over 2,700 teams for campaign

    In their resolve and renewed commitment to eradicate and put an end to the spread of polio virus in the state, the Sokoto State government and UNICEF on Friday launched the OBR round 2 with no fewer than 2,700 professionals and trained teams for the vaccination in 244 wards across 23 LGs of Sokoto State.

    The exercise launched in Shagari town, Shagari local government of Sokoto State is expected to commence simultaneously across other 22 Lgs.

    Also drawn to participate in the OBR round 2 of the polio campaign exercise include community heads in order to ensure improved and total eradication of the virus within children under 5 years in the state.

    The theme of this month’s OBR round 2 campaign is: “Dosage of Good news ” UNICEF Sokoto Field Office.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar, said the renewed commitment was to ensure the polio virus and cases were totally terminated in the state and northwest where it is prevalent.

    “We are working tirelessly to discourage the spread of the virus through proper sanitation, improved access to vaccines among other drivers in the state.”

    The Commissioner added: “We also want to push further to change the negative perception of households on polio virus vaccine, create more public awareness and influence the mindset of households to accept the vaccine.

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    “We took similar approach at our April exercise which provoked significant improvement.

    “We commend UNICEF for its strategic and continued support, including our Governor for providing the enabling environment and other logistics”, Umar said while acknowledging Sultan Abubakar, the traditional leaders and council chairmen, ward heads for positively changing the direction and narrative.

    He reiterated the need for all stakeholders to sustain the tempo in order to achieve a polio-free Sokoto State, Northwest and Nigeria as a whole.

    Earlier in his remarks, Isah Ibrahim, a UNICEF Official said stakeholders commitment was critical towards achieving positive impact of the campaign.

    “It will help consolidate on our successes and encourage more effective and efficient services tailored at ending the spread of the virus.

  • Sokoto, UNICEF launch second round of polio vaccination campaign

    Sokoto, UNICEF launch second round of polio vaccination campaign

    In a renewed push to eradicate polio in Sokoto State, the state government, in partnership with UNICEF, on Friday launched the second round of the Outbreak Response (OBR) vaccination campaign, deploying over 2,700 trained health professionals across 244 wards in all 23 local government areas.

    The vaccination exercise, which was officially flagged off in Shagari town, Shagari Local Government Area, is expected to run simultaneously across the other LGAs of the state.

    The campaign also involves the active participation of community leaders to ensure broader coverage and support for the immunisation effort, especially among children under five years of age—the most vulnerable group to the virus.

    This month’s OBR Round 2 campaign carries the theme “Dosage of Good News,” as announced by the UNICEF Sokoto Field Office.

    Speaking at the launch, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to completely eradicate polio not just within Sokoto, but also across the northwest region where the virus remains a threat.

    “We are working tirelessly to stop the spread of the virus through proper sanitation and improved access to vaccines,” Dr. Umar said.

    Read Also: UNICEF vaccinates 4,017 against Diphtheria in Imo

    He further noted the need to tackle public resistance and misinformation about the polio vaccine, adding, “We also want to change the negative perception among households, raise awareness, and influence mindsets so that families willingly accept the vaccine for their children.”

    The campaign reflects a broader national and international effort to achieve total polio eradication in Nigeria.

    “We took similar approach out April exercise which provoked significant improvement.

    “We commend UNICEF for its strategic and continued support including our Governor for providing the enabling environment and other logistics”, Umar said while acknowledging Sultan Abubakar, traditional leaders and council Chairmen , ward heads for positively changing the direction and narrative.

    He reiterated the need for all stakeholders to sustain the tempo inorder to achieve a polio free Sokoto state, Northwest and Nigeria as a whole.

    Earlier in his remarks, Isah Ibrahim, a Unicef Official stakeholders commitment was critical towards achieving positive impact of the campaign.

    “It will help consolidate on our successes and encourage more effective and efficient services tailored at ending the spread of the virus.”

  • UNICEF vaccinates 4,017 against Diphtheria in Imo

    UNICEF vaccinates 4,017 against Diphtheria in Imo

    …Death toll rises to 10

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 4,017 individuals have received diphtheria vaccinations, but the death toll from the disease has risen to 10.

    UNICEF’s Health Specialist, Dr. Olusoji Akinleye, made this known during a virtual media parley organised by the organisation in Owerri, on Friday.

    Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria became an outbreak in Imo State, with an index case reported in Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise council area of the state.

    UNICEF is supporting the federal government’s response efforts in case management, infection prevention and control, reactive vaccination, risk communication and community engagement to contain the outbreak.

    Akinleye spoke on the theme: “Diphtheria Outbreak Response In Imo State.”

    He stressed that with ten fatalities already recorded according to available statistics, it was imperative to restrict and contain the spread of the disease to prevent a possible “national disaster “, as the airport “sits very close to Aboh Mbaise”.

    He commended the Imo state Immunisation Officer, Dr Chibuzo Anyaehie for ensuring prompt vaccination of persons across the four affected council areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal.

    Speaking, Anyaehie said that 4,017 persons had already received the diphtheria vaccine, adding that the state has, so far, recorded 79 suspected cases and seven confirmed cases.

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    “We have established treatment centres across all the Primary Health Centres in Mbutu, and the Aboh General Hospital, with an additional 70 doses of vaccines just supplied,” she said.

    In her contribution, UNICEF’s Communication Officer, Advocacy, Media, and External Relations, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, thanked health intervention officers from the Imo State Ministry of Health for their efforts in containing the outbreak.

    Dr. Onuoha -Ogwe charged journalists to adequately sensitise the general public on preventive management of the disease to curb its spread.

    UNICEF’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, Mrs Rebekah Gabriel, harped on the need for regular hand washing with soap and water and for greater collaboration with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders for effective grassroots sensitisation.

    Earlier in her opening remarks, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, commended the media for effective partnership and urged journalists to amplify awareness of the outbreak.

  • Nigeria, UNICEF partner to train 20m youths in digital skills by 2030

    Nigeria, UNICEF partner to train 20m youths in digital skills by 2030

    • Shettima chairs Generation Unlimited Nigeria’s board

    Nigeria and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have entered into a strategic partnership to train 20 million youths in essential digital skills by 2030.

    The partnership is a part of efforts to position the country’s young population for the global digital economy.

    The partnership was formalised during a high-level meeting at the State House in Abuja between Vice President Kashim Shettima and a delegation from the United Nations system in Nigeria, led by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Fall.

    Dignitaries at the meeting included the UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rownak Khan, and the Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere.

    Shettima, who formally accepted to chair the Board of Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA) — a flagship public-private-youth partnership platform — described the initiative as timely and imperative for Nigeria’s future.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima noted that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, currently estimated at over 230 million with an average age of 17, presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

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    “It is an honour for me to serve as the Chairman of Generation Unlimited (GenU 9JA). This platform provides a vista of opportunities for our young people. Beyond rhetoric, if we want to survive and thrive, we must empower our youth through digital means. That’s the only way forward,” he said.

    The GenU 9JA initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusive development, digital innovation, and youth empowerment as tools for national transformation.

    Shettima stressed that Nigeria was not seeking handouts but sustainable and equitable partnerships.

    “We are not looking for charity. We want a mutually beneficial relationship — one based on respect and shared interests. This is why I’m very passionate about the digital initiative. Beyond leadership in our enlightened self-interest, if we want to live in this part of the world, we have to involve them, we have to empower them,” Shettima said.

    The VP described the initiative as beautiful, saying it would enable youths to trade their skills in the global market.

  • Imo Govt partners UNICEF, development agencies to boost quality of life

    Imo Govt partners UNICEF, development agencies to boost quality of life

    … As Uzodimma receives global partners on nutrition, food security, others

    The Imo State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) and other development agencies, has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Imo citizens through improved healthcare facilities, quality education, and food security.

    The state governor, Hope Uzodimma, stated this when he received a delegation of some Global Partners – Food and Agricultural Organization, UNICEF, FHI-360, and Results for Development, among others – working on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria at the New Exco Chambers, Government House Owerri.

    The Governor who expressed joy that Imo was among the focal States for the intervention programmes and projects, noted that the programmes align with his administration’s core values of “providing sustainable development, promoting quality living and emancipating our people.”

    He disclosed that his administration established a University of Agriculture as part of its business template to address food security, with the whole idea “to promote practical agriculture, boost food production for food sufficiency and export for foreign currency earning.”

    “Today, willing partners like the FAO, UNICEF, FHI-360, Result for Development and Federal Ministry of Health have volunteered to partner the State,” Uzodimma said, assuring that “Imo is willing, able and committed to collaborate with these partners.”

    He thanked the leader of the team who is also the House Committee Chairman on Nutrition and National Food Security/Member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chike Okafor, for recommending Imo State to benefit from the programme/projects.

    Earlier, Rt. Hon. Okafor disclosed that the funding partners and donor Agencies on food and nutrition had a mandate to support national and sub-national governments in the areas of improving nutrition and making food available for the people.

    He said the groups were in Imo to commence their programmes and projects, pointing out that the State is strategic, giving the position of Governor Uzodimma who is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors as well as the Chairman of Southeast Governor’s Forum.

    Rt. Hon. Okafor commended the Governor for the holistic approach to development across the State, placing on record the untiring efforts of the Governor’s team to make the visit most fruitful.

    He appreciated the Agencies for the commitments made in Imo State, especially the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), a subset of the United Nations which has already started a programme in Imo State that runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    Contributing, the Country Director, Nutrition Intervention, Dr. Osita Okonkwo and UNICEF Chief of Field Office Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chilewe, commended the Imo State Governor for the commitments made in promoting the well-being and development of children and for the intervention in restoring peace in the State.

    They appealed to the Governor to take seriously the improvement on the nutrition of the citizenry in Imo State, particularly that of children and mothers, and used the opportunity of the meeting to appeal for support for their summit coming up in July.

    Dr. Nuhu Kilishi, National Programme Manager/Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed that there will be stakeholders’ engagement to select one School to establish Junior Farmers Club where the students will be trained and equipped in various aspects of agriculture.

    Other representatives who spoke and made case for improved nutrition in Imo State include, Country Director, FHI-360, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, the Country Director, Results For Development, Dr. Felix Obi.

  • UNICEF, Sokoto govt launch Nigeria’s first digital village for Almajiri, out-of-out-of-school girls 

    UNICEF, Sokoto govt launch Nigeria’s first digital village for Almajiri, out-of-out-of-school girls 

    The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, on Tuesday inaugurated Nigeria’s first Digital Village for Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.

    The initiative, hosted at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Qur’anic and General Studies in Sokoto township, is designed to empower 150 Almajiri boys and 100 girls in its first phase, equipping them with essential digital and vocational skills to become active and productive members of society.

    The digital village aims to integrate digital literacy, vocational training, technological innovation, and life skills development. It also provides a safe space for mentorship and personal growth.

    While the Sokoto State Government provided the infrastructure, UNICEF remodelled and fully equipped the facility.

    Read Also: Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo’s fever hits Kaduna

    Speaking at the launch, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate—represented by Michaela Jima, Chief of Field Office, Sokoto, said the initiative is targeted at enhancing learning opportunities for vulnerable children.

    “It will be delivered in local languages, with a curriculum covering digital literacy, vocational training, foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills. This approach is tailored to the needs of these underserved groups, equipping them to thrive in today’s tech-driven world,” she said.

    Munduate noted that the programme reflects UNICEF’s commitment to bridging the digital divide for vulnerable children and adolescents. 

    She assured of continued collaboration with the Sokoto government to support interventions that protect children from violence, neglect, and exploitation.

    Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, who officially launched the centre, described the Digital Village as a “game changer” for youths. 

    He said the project would equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the modern economy.

    “We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower oir children with knowledge and skills for a brighter future”, the governor assured.

  • Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo’s fever hits Kaduna

    Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo’s fever hits Kaduna

    As countdown to the 2025 edition of Africa’s premium polo extravaganza, Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament gets to its feverish heights, over twenty highly-charged teams from across the country are gearing up for the international fiesta holding at the Fifth Chukker Lawns in Kaduna between  May 22nd   and June 1st.

    Revered as one of the biggest charity polo platforms in the world, the Access Bank UNICEF tournament, will be decided over ten days, with teams battling for the event’s second biggest prize, Access Bank Cup and Usman Dantata Cup taking centre stages in the first stage.

    The grand finale of the fund Raising polo platform  promises to be one of the most exciting high stake Charity shield confrontations in years with determined newcomers and former champions jostling for the UNICEF Cup, the Herbert Wigwe  Memorial Cup  and tournament top prize, the Charity Shield.

    The organisers also disclosed that the 2025 edition  of the UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament is one of the prominent initiatives, sponsored by Access Bank to drive development in the communities it serves.

    The Access Bank-UNICEF Charity Shield Polo tournament was designed to raise more awareness on the plight of vulnerable children and orphans, especially the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across northern Nigeria.

    According to the organisers, the international event  will be more exciting as the day has been set aside to celebrate children on May 27th  (Children’s Day), as part of the highlights of the 2025 edition.

    “We in Fifth Chukker Polo & Country club are proud of this established partnership with Access Bank and UNICEF. As the level of play continues to raise the bar in Nigerian polo and captures a truly international following; the charity work follows in a similar fashion,” the officials added.

    The tournament which is hosted annually in three phases, will  start in Kaduna state to be followed by  the   Access Bank Polo Day in United Kingdom and climaxed in South Africa where the second edition of the Herbert Wigwe Memorial Cup would take place.

    Read Also: UNICEF moves to tackle polio vaccine myths in Bauchi

    Funds  generated from gate takings, sales of souvenirs and  additional N10 million donations by Access Bank  is channelled to UNICEF in its aid for the  orphans and vulnerable children in their as well as  providing healthcare and education supplies.

    It also provides additional training for children and caregivers and aims to increase knowledge and skills around nutrition, healthcare, hygiene and psycho-social support, with additional life skills and civic education for older children.

    The event, which is in its second decade of Access Bank exclusive sponsorship, is a reaffirmation of the importance the financial power house attaches to the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in Nigeria.

     “This year’s tournament is more than an affirmation of that commitment to socio-economic wellbeing of mankind and acknowledgement of the impact the initiative has had on the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in northern Nigeria especially in Kaduna state,” the release added.

    A statement that confirmed the tournament dates stated that the title sponsors and its partners, have taken their commitment to UNICEF Charity polo fundraising platform to a new level, with the commissioning of fully equipped 120 classroom blocks in Kaduna State.

    “The partners are delighted that the Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield is archiving its main objective of reaching out to the less privileged children in the society, and we are not relenting on this laudable intervention, there are millions of vulnerable Nigerian children out of school and many of them are from the north,” the statement added.

    Last year, the event which was highlighted by the inauguration of the Herbert Wigwe Cup and the commissioning of a school project by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, saw debuting Crown Polo from Jos, Mangal Cement team from Katsina, Kaduna Barbedos and former champions, Fifth Chukker came out victorious sweeping all the major prizes.