UNICEF Lauds Kwara Government for Renewed Commitment to Partnership
By Alex Uangbaoje, Ilorin
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday commended the Kwara State Government for her renewed commitment in partnering with the agency after a very long time.
A team of UNICEF, led by Dr. Zakari Adam, Chief of Kaduna Field office, who visited the State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his office, applauded his vision of reintegrating the state into UNICEF fold, by his financial commitment to support the health sector in the interest of children and women.
For almost 10 years, UNICEF has taken a back sit in supporting Kwara state due to several technical reasons and policy issues, but time has come to renew the partnership in the best interest of children and women in the state.
“We welcome UNICEF and we are ready to work together including putting our counterpart funds for effective collaboration” governor Abdul Razaq said at the meeting which was attended by the State Head of Service, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Planning, Alhaji Abdulaziz Tayo Oyelowo and other senior government officials in the state.
In his remarks, Dr. Zakari, told the governor that internal and external factors were responsible for the change in style by UNICEF to support the state for almost a decade.
Dr Zakari, seized the opportunity and thanked the governor for his resolve to save lives of children and women evident by his release of funds in order to allow the state key into several beneficial initiatives of the federal government which according to him, will help in reducing maternal and child mortality rate as well as promote and protect the rights of children in the state.
He also communicated UNICEF’s readiness to partner His administration to further improve the quality of lives and the overall situation of children in the state.
While corroborating Dr. Zakari, Mr. Rabiu Musa, Communication Specialist with UNICEF said they have highlighted various sectors they will partner with the state, promising to deliver a more robust plans and execution framework that will see to the utilization of funds to help those who truly needs it.
Mr Rabiu stated that the partnership between the state was brought to a halt almost 10 years ago but the current shape of things in the state’s present administration demonstrates evidence to jointly deliver more quality results for children, most importantly, the state and UNICEF is in full agreement to work together.
