Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Saturday donated an office that would serve as field office for United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
Before the opening of the new office apartment, the Sokoto State Government and the UNICEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on child education, health and malnutrition in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony in Sokoto, Tambuwal said his administration takes the issue of child education seriously.
According to him, “We have so far met our target for school enrollment for 2016. So signing of this agreement is one event we have been waiting for as it will ensure the improvement of the lives of children in various sectors of development.
“We look forward to collaborate with any organisation across the globe in making the state achieve all necessary needs across all sectors,” he said.
The governor appealed for more support from UNICEF, saying the state government was committed to ensuring successful implementation of all agreements.
He added that the government would remain committed to children’s welfare in spite of the myriad of challenges confronting it.
Earlier, UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Jean Gough, called on the state government to initiate free- feeding programme in primary schools across the state.
She said that the gesture would serve as support to parents and encourage most children at the grassroots to go to school as well as reduce malnutrition among them.
“We will support Sokoto state in the area of education by allocating more resources to achieve the desired goals on the state-of-emergency in the sector,” she stated.
According to her, UNICEF is always ready to support the government, and is committed to protecting the lives and rights of children.
Gough said UNICEF would help in meeting basic needs of the children and to expand their opportunities to attain full potential.
The building, officially opened by the Governor on Saturday, is located at an exclusive area in Sokoto town and will house various departments of the global agency.
