The United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday lauded the policies of the Ondo state government in the areas of women and children survival and development saying it was not only a benchmark for Nigeria but the entire African continent.
The UNICEF Assistant Country Representative and Chief of Lagos Office, Mrs Sara Beysolow Nyanti gave the commendation at the Governor’s office in Akure the state capital during the signing of the 2011/2012 Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA) between the State government and UNICEF. The occasion also witnessed the public presentation of the Ondo State Education Sector Strategic Plan (SESP) and the State Educational Sector Operational Plan (SESOP).
The Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko signed the agreement on behalf of the State government while Mrs. Nyanti signed for the UNICEF.
In her address, Mrs Nyanti, who specifically appreciated the State’s innovative Abiye (safe motherhood) Healthcare Programme which guarantees quality free healthcare for pregnant mothers and children below ages 0-5 years. The UNICEF boss enthused that the policy was in agreement with the UNICEF’s millennium development goals 4 and 5, which included reduction in child mortality and improved maternal mortality respectively.
Her words “Your Excellency, I sincerely commend your giant strides for the women and children. The conception and implementation of ABIYE health Programme whereby the mother and child hospital takes care of pregnant mothers from the beginning to delivery. This is in line with the realization of the millennium development goals. It is indeed laudable that all the services rendered to these pregnant mothers are free at these mother and child hospitals.
“The funding of education strategic plans and education sector plans by your state is equally commendable. Of particular note were your mega millennium schools projects still under construction. The continued support of family courts and establishment of the first children centre currently under construction is a clear indication of your leadership and team approach to development”.
Other projects which equally attracted commendation of the UNICEF team include the state government’s establishment of the family court, the first ever children centre still under construction, and prompt release of entire government’s counterpart contribution among others, which according to her were evidences of the commitment of the administration to better future for the state.
In his remarks the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko promised more collaboration with the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the areas of mother and child development as indispensable instruments of nation’s building. He disclosed that over N56 million had been paid as counterpart fund to the UNICEF project with an assurance that his administration was committed to ensuring prompt payment of such in the future.
He said: “let me reiterate our commitment that we will continue to do what we have to do to ensure that the effect and welfare of women and children in Ondo State continue to be in the forefront of policies of governance in the state. We will continue to sustain our counterpart funding for your projects and for the collaboration between UNICEF and Ondo State government, once again I want to give our firm commitment.”
“I want to assure you that our commitment to optimize the welfare of our people is total, especially the women and the children. We believe that for us to be able to develop rapidly we must take necessary investment in the women, women are better drivers of development. That is why we are investing in the women; that is why we are converting street traders into veritable entrepreneurs, we are giving them conducive environment through caring heart markets. A good percentage of our micro credits had gone to market women.”
In their speeches, the state Commissioners for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Akin Adaramola and his counterpart in the Education Ministry, Dr Pius Osunyikanmi reiterated government’s determination to work closely with the UNICEF.
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