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  • Nigeria facing Learning Crisis – UNICEF

    Nigeria facing Learning Crisis – UNICEF

    ..as 70% of 10 year old Children cannot read or write

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF has said that Nigeria is presently Learning Crisis as over 10.5 million children and an additional 70 per of children who are in school do not know how to read and write.

    UNICEF Officer- in – Charge OIC, UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Elhadji Issakha Diop said this today at the Media Dialogue on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy , FLN, held in Kano today.

    Diop who was represented by Rahana Mohammed Farah, Chief of Field Office, at the UNICEF Kano Office during his welcome address said that 10.5 million children of school is worrying because of denial of Literacy and Numeracy of children in Nigeria.

    He said, “For instance, as is the case with some countries globally, and in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria faces a learning crisis in which learning is not taking place, even for children that are in school. He emphasized that part of the rights of children is education of the child.”

    He said, “Talking about children’s rights, Education is one of such rights. Education is a fundamental human right, and that right is well-articulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the (CRC) which guides the work of UNICEF, and of course, in other legal instruments, including the Nigerian Constitution.”

    “In executing its mandate of promoting, protecting, advocating, and collaborating with partners for the realisation of the rights of children, UNICEF has been collaborating with the Government of Nigeria to improve outcomes in the education sector.”

    According to the World Bank, Nigeria is experiencing a learning poverty in which 70 per cent of 10-year-olds cannot understand a simple sentence or perform basic numeracy task.

    According to UNICEF , to address the challenge, achieving basic learning outcomes at the foundational level of education is key, adding that to improve learning outcomes in Nigeria, achieving basic foundational skills at that level of learning cannot be overemphasized.
    UNICEF is already supporting the Government of Nigeria to improve Foundational Literacy and Numeracy through tailor-made, teaching learning practices, such as Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) and Reading and Numeracy Activities (RANA), Diop stated.

    UNICEF called for more to scale-up Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Nigeria, with adequate support of every ally and stakeholder is needed particularly from the media.
    Urged the media to mobilize all stakeholders and to raise awareness of the learning crisis in Nigeria and to advocate increased funding to the education sector, especially the allocation of adequate resources to pre-primary and primary level of education in Nigeria; and investing in improving teacher quality.

    Earlier speaking on the objective of the SDGs and the media dialogue, the UNICEF Communication Specialist Godfrey Njoku
    said that it is to let stakeholders know that without education of children it will be shallow , adding that the SDGs cannot be achieved without focus on children.
    We want to begin to push the narrative that those children who are in school and out of school are not learning, adding that there is need for government to focus on learning of children and even teachers in Nigeria.

  • Boko Haram: Over 8,000 girls, boys recruited as child soldiers in North East since 2009 ― UNICEF

    Boko Haram: Over 8,000 girls, boys recruited as child soldiers in North East since 2009 ― UNICEF

    By Joyce Babayeju

    THE United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has called for an end to the recruitment and use of children by armed groups in Nigeria.

    The international humanitarian agency also called for the immediate release of those in the custody of such groups just as it urged support for former child soldiers in Nigeria’s North-East region.

    The call came on the heels of commemoration of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, otherwise known as “Red Hand Day”.

    According to UNICEF, “For 13 years, armed conflict in North-East Nigeria has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted livelihoods and access to essential services for children and their families.”

    A statement, Monday, by the organisation, quoted UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong T. Nguyen, as saying, “We call for an immediate end to the recruitment and use of innocent children as soldiers or for any other conflict-related role.”

    “It is unacceptable and unconscionable that girls and boys continue to serve on the frontlines of a conflict they did not start,”it added.

    “UNICEF called on the Nigerian authorities to sign the Handover Protocol for children encountered in the course of armed conflict in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region, which would end the detention of children formerly associated with armed groups.

    “The Handover Protocol would ensure children encountered during military and security operations are transferred from military custody to civilian child protection actors to support their reintegration into society through the provision of family tracing and reunification services and medical, educational, and psychosocial recovery services. Support would also life skills support, skills training, and links to decent work,” the statement added.

    The group noted that, “The Borno State Child Protection Act, recently signed into law by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, prohibits and prescribes stiff penalties for the violation of children’s rights. “

    “The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict also prohibits the forced recruitment or conscription of children under 18 by government forces, and the participation of children under 18 in active hostilities by any party,” it explained.

    The statement read further: “Ratified by the Government of Nigeria in 2012, the Optional Protocol places obligations on non-state armed groups, not to, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of eighteen.

    “We must do more to ensure that Nigeria’s children do not suffer the worst impacts of conflict,” said Phuong T. Nguyen.

    “We owe girls and boys a chance to leave the horrors of conflict behind. Every day of delay in the custody of armed groups is a tragedy with grave implications for the children, families, and Nigerian society as a whole.”

  • Oyo, UNICEF Finalize Moves on Social Protection Policy Plan

    Oyo, UNICEF Finalize Moves on Social Protection Policy Plan

    …As Wife of the Governor Pledges Ready Intervention for Orphans, Less Privileged

    Oyo State Government and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Akure Field Office have finalized plans on the implementation of Oyo State Social Protection and Implementation Plan.

    Speaking during a four-day stakeholders’ meeting held in Oyo town, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, said the State through constant engagements with relevant stakeholders have finalized the production of a Medium Term Sector Strategy (M.T.S.S). 

    Prof. Babatunde said that part of the aims of the social protection programme was to address the issues of lack of access to education and healthcare for children.

    He said the policy is aimed to strengthen social protection among the vulnerable people in the state.

    Prof. Babatunde also said that the partnership with UNICEF would provide a unique opportunity for the most vulnerable people in the state to access development and intervention programmes.

    “The essence of the partnership on social protection is to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people in the state. Through this, we will make them an integral part of the development and intervention programmes in the state,” he said.

    The meeting, organised by the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and UNICEF was attended by representatives of civil society organisations, media, development partners among others.

    Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Mofoluke Adebiyi said the workshop was aimed at articulating and mapping Social Protection programmes in the State for proper domestication of the National Social Protection policy.

    She recalled that a three-day technical working session held in Oyo between 30th August and 1st September resulted in the production of a clean and updated revised policy document that culminated as the working tool for the workshop. 

    In another development, the Oyo state government has reiterated its total commitment to the wellbeing of the less privileged, saying it will leave no stone unturned in catering especially for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC).

    The Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde gave this assurance today at the Ten Year Anniversary of Winnie’s castle orphanage, Ibadan.

    She said the present administration in Oyo State would provide basic needs and protect every child’s right to survival, development, protection and participation as enshrined in the State Child Rights Law (2006).

  • Oyo Govt, UNICEF Advocate Increased COVAX Awareness at Grassroots

    Oyo Govt, UNICEF Advocate Increased COVAX Awareness at Grassroots

    The Oyo State Government in collaboration with UNICEF on Thursday, advocated for increased awareness on COVID-19 vaccine (COVAX) among residents in the state.

    This advocacy was made at a one day advocacy meeting organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in collaboration with UNICEF for Local Government Information officers and Media practitioners on improving COVAX confidence and uptake at grassroots in Oyo State held in Oyo Town.

    The UNICEF C4D Specialists, Akure Office, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola- Akinwole stated that there is need to educate and clear all doubts about the efficacy and safety of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine by the people of the state especially those living at the grassroots.

    According to Aderonke Akinwale-Akinwole, Media practitioners have a huge role to play in demystifying misconception and rumors about COVAX in the grassroots.

    She dismissed rumours that the vaccine causes early death, sterility or that it is a scam, adding that residents should shun all unfounded assumptions about the vaccine.

    The UNICEF representative further explained that the vaccine is safe, effective and free of charge, as it helps reduce the effects of COVID-19 if contracted at all after the complete vaccination.

    Earlier, the Director of UNICEF Programs in the ministry,Mr. Rotimi Babalola in his welcome address stated that the meeting with media practitioners and information officers from all the 33 LGA’s is important at this time, due to the outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19.

    He noted that the Delta variant of the pandemic is deadlier than the previous COVID-19 hence the need to raise awareness among citizens who may have let down their guards concerning the COVID-19 protocols.

    Mr. Babalola stressed that the vaccine is available at primary health care centers in the state at no cost to prevent the spread of the virus especially at the time that school’s resumption is in the offing.

  • Two million young Nigerians to get UNICEF job training

    Two million young Nigerians to get UNICEF job training

    Young Nigerians in 12 states are to benefit from a multi-collaborative scheme between the Federal Government and UNICEF.

    Lagos and Kano states are to serve as the takeoff points of the scheme that would be inaugurated July 26 by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo and the UN agency.

    Known as Generation Unlimited (GenU), the innovative programme is targeted at young Nigerians aged 10 and 24.

    Two million of them in the age bracket are expected to benefit from the scheme by 2023 and 20 million by 2030 in the areas of education, skills training, employment, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.

    The other states where the young Nigerians would be drawn for the first phase are Ogun, Rivers, Cross River, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Benue, and Niger.

    GenU is a global multi-sector partnership that was initially launched in September 2018, in collaboration with over 200 partners.

    It has reached, to date, more than 100 million young people globally through innovations and programmes in more than 40 countries across six continents.

    Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Godwin Obaseki(Edo) as well as UN Resident Coordinator. Edward Kallon are expected to grace the inauguration of GenU Nigeria.

    GenU Nigeria has a wide range of development partners, including the African Development Bank, GIZ, ILO, UNDP, USAID and Private Sector Organisations.

    Some of the private sector organisations are Airtel, Jobberman, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Microsoft, University of Cambridge, Boston Consulting Group and UBA Foundation.

    Other African countries currently participating in the GenU partnership include Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and the Niger Republic.

  • COVID- 19 Pandemic causes 23m children to miss routine vaccination- WHO/ UNICEF Report

    COVID- 19 Pandemic causes 23m children to miss routine vaccination- WHO/ UNICEF Report

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    The new data released today by WHO/ UNICEF has showed that owing to COVID-19 pandemic at least a whopping 23 million children were missed out of the routine childhood immunization, which shows that a majority of countries last year experienced drops in childhood vaccination.

    The official data published by WHO/UNICEF exposed the backsliding trend in children routine vaccination which caused 23 million children to miss out on basic childhood vaccines in 2020, which recorded the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019.
    The report released in GENEVA/NEW YORK, 15th July 2021 showed the latest set of comprehensive worldwide childhood immunization figures that reflect global service disruptions due to COVID-19 pandemic.
    According to the data about 17 million children likely did not receive a single vaccine during the year, widening already immense inequities in vaccine access. Most of these children live in communities affected by conflict, in under-served remote places, or in informal or slum settings where they face multiple deprivations including limited access to basic health and key social services.

    WHO Director General Dr. Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Even as countries clamour to get their hands on COVID-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis.“
    Ghebreyesus stressed that Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling COVID-19, and urged for a more urgent investment in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached.”

    In contemporary COVID-19 era in all regions rising numbers of children miss vital first vaccine doses in 2020; millions more miss later vaccines.
    Disruptions in immunization services were widespread in 2020, with the WHO Southeast Asian and Eastern Mediterranean Regions most affected. As access to health services and immunization outreach were curtailed, the number of children not receiving even their very first vaccinations increased in all regions, the report showed.

    The data showed comparison that 2019, 3.5 million more children missed their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) while 3 million more children missed their first measles dose.

    UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore warned, ” the COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions cost us valuable ground we cannot afford to lose – and the consequences will be paid in the lives and wellbeing of the most vulnerable.”

    Fore said, “Even before the pandemic, there were worrying signs that we were beginning to lose ground in the fight to immunize children against preventable child illness, including with the widespread measles outbreaks two years ago.”
    According to the two global organizations said that the pandemic has made a bad situation worse. With the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, and called for everyone’s attention that vaccine distribution has always been inequitable, but it does not have to be.”
    The data shows countries with the greatest increase in children not receiving a first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis combined vaccine (DTP-1) in2019 and 2020 respectfully.

    The data shows that middle-income countries now account for an increasing share of unprotected children – that is, children missing out on at least some vaccine doses.

    This reveals the vulnerability of countries to resurgence of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases .

    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, global childhood vaccination rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles and polio had stalled for several years at around 86%.

    Owing to diversion of many resources and personnel to support the COVID-19 response, there have been significant disruptions to immunization service provision in many parts of the world.

    In some countries, clinics have been closed or hours reduced, while people may have been reluctant to seek healthcare because of fear of transmission or have experienced challenges reaching services due to lockdown measures and transportation disruptions.
    CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr. Seth Bekley said that there are alarming numbers, suggesting the pandemic is unravelling years of progress in routine immunization and exposing millions of children to deadly, preventable diseases,”
    “This is a wake-up call – we cannot allow a legacy of COVID-19 to be the resurgence of measles, polio and other killers. We all need to work together to help countries both defeat COVID-19, by ensuring global, equitable access to vaccines, and get routine immunization programmes back on track.
    The future health and wellbeing of millions of children and their communities across the globe depends on it.”
    WHO/ UNICEF have called on countries to urgently invest in routine vaccination of children.

  • Nigeria takes steps towards COVID-19 vaccine local Production

    Nigeria takes steps towards COVID-19 vaccine local Production

    7,465 Nigerians get 2nd dose of vaccine jab 

    As a way of closing up the COVID- 19 vaccine supply gap in Nigeria and the African continent the Nigerian Government has taken steps to fast track local production of the vaccine within the confines of the country.

    Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib made this known yesterday in Abuja at the second press conference to update

    Nigerians on the status of COVID-19 vaccination.

    Shuaib said, ” while we are pushing for equity, justice and fair play in the global allocation of vaccines, the FMOH is working with critical stakeholders to fast track the establishment of local vaccine production plants in Nigeria.”

    This initiative will be seizing on the environment created by the lopsided availability of vaccines, momentum around intellectual property waivers and health security imperatives that vaccines represent.”

    Meanwhile, the NPHCDA boss said that 73,465 Nigerians have received their second dose of COVID- 19 vaccination across the country while 1,956,598 people received their first dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine.

    He urged all Nigerians who have received their first dose to go back for the second jab at the same health facility where they got the first jab to ensure full protection against COVID-19.

    He advised citizens relocating from states where they took their for dose to go access special vaccination sites that would accommodate administering their second dose, adding that Nigerians can access the list of vaccination sites available on the agency’s website www.nphcda.gov.ng for update on vaccination points.

    WHO Country Representative, DR. Walter Kazadi congratulated NPHCDA for the success of the second dose of COViD-19 vaccination .

    Kazadi noted that the Africa continent has received less of it’s share of the Covax facility while some African countries are losing the vaccine that expire before it’s use while others are re- distributing the vaccine elsewhere.

    We need those vaccines to end the pandemic, he emphasized.

    UNICEF representative said called on those who have received their first dose of the vaccine to go to the nearest vaccination site to get their second dose.

  • 26.5 Million Nigerian Children Lack Access To Water, Says UNICEF

    26.5 Million Nigerian Children Lack Access To Water, Says UNICEF

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday said that nearly one-third of Nigerian children lack access to enough water.

    In a statement marking World Water Day, UNICEF said more than 1.42 billion people including 450 million children are living in areas of high or extremely high water vulnerability in the world.

    “The world’s water crisis is not coming – it is here, and children are its biggest victims,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.

    “When wells dry up, children are the ones missing school to fetch water. When droughts diminish food supplies, children suffer from malnutrition and stunting. When floods hit, children fall ill from waterborne illnesses. And when water is not available in Nigerian communities, children cannot wash their hands to fight off diseases.”

    According to UNICEF, “the figures in Nigeria are particularly worrying, with 26.5 million Nigerian children experiencing high or extremely high water vulnerability – or 29 percent of Nigerian children.”

  • UNICEF: About 143,387 Health Workers Set To Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19 In Northeast Nigeria

    UNICEF: About 143,387 Health Workers Set To Be Vaccinated Against Covid-19 In Northeast Nigeria

    By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)is set vaccinate 143,387 health workers in the front  line against corona-virus (COVID-19) which has claimed several lives in Borno state.
    The UNICEF whose  target was the  front line health workers, were mostly drawn from insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe in the northeast.
    The Immunization Officer, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, stressing that, the exercise would be implemented under the first phase of the vaccination drive of UNICEF in insurgency affected states.

    According UNICEF, the front line health worker are most risky as they continually interact with COVID-19 infected persons.
    “As part of Phase 1, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states are included in the vaccine launch.
     “A total of 143,387 health workers from these states are expected to be vaccinated”.
    The UNICEF information officer further disclosed that the vaccination exercise is to commence today (Wednesday) in the six states of the region.
     A breakdown of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise indicated that Borno state has the highest number of health workers, with 55,255, while Yobe state has 33,997,scheduled to be vaccinated this week under the first phase.
    The phase II vaccination would target  the remaining health workers and those aged 50 years and above.
    In the same vein, “The phase III would target those with co-morbidities under 50-year old residents,” and  also explained that phase IV would target the population of people at risk with a high burden of disease.
    UNICEF, he said, would worked with the Borno State Government to facilitate the training of more health workers, to improve the capacity of the resource persons in community engagement and demand creations and vaccine management.
  • Nigeria Ready for 4m doses of AstraZeneca  COVID-19 Vaccine

    Nigeria Ready for 4m doses of AstraZeneca  COVID-19 Vaccine

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
    Finally Nigeria is ready to receive about 4 million doses of  the popular AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
    In a joint press statement made available to Daybreak today the  NPHCDA, WHO and UNICEF announced arrival of  the  first consignment of  3.92 million doses  of AstraZeneca vaccines into the country on Tuesday.
     The delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine is part of an overall 16 million doses planned to be delivered to Nigeria in batches over the next months by the COVAX Facility, as part of an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
    According to the statement,  Nigeria is scheduled to take delivery of the first consignment of  3.92 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, 2 March, 2021 making Nigeria the next West African country to benefit from the COVAX Facility after Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.
    On arrival of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA,  said it would  commence the vaccination of Nigerians in priority groups, starting with the frontline healthcare workers.
    Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib said , “We are fully prepared to receive and deliver the vaccine to eligible Nigerians as we have commenced the training of health workers and ensured that cold chain facilities are ready at all levels.”
    “We  have a robust cold chain system that can store all types of COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the required temperature.” “We  are therefore confident that we will have a very effective roll-out of the vaccine, starting with our critical healthcare workers, who are in the frontline in providing the care we all need.”
    UNICEF Nigeria  Peter Country Representative, Peter Hawkins said, “The COVAX Facility, has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that Nigeria gets the vaccine as soon as possible so it can start its vaccination programme to the largest population in Africa.”
    Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19. In the meantime, Nigerians must continue to take steps to contain the virus, as the vaccination programme will take at least a year before it is fully effective,” said Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria.
    The Federal Government said  it plans to vaccinate at least 70% of eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above in four phases within two years.
    Shuaib noted that the arrival of the vaccine is through the  jojnt  efforts  of the Federal Government,  the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the  Minister of Health.
    Daybreak reports that the COVAX Facility is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), with UNICEF as a key implementing partner.