Bauchi Gov Directs Release of Counterpart Funding for UNICEF Intervention Activities

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has directed the immediate release of counterpart funding for all interventions related to the activities of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the state.

He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to partner with UNICEF to address the challenges plaguing the health sector in the state.

The governor further assured that his administration will continue to support such activities across the state, especially for the welfare and wellbeing of children and women as well as effective and efficient maternal healthcare delivery services in the State.

The governor was speaking when he received a delegation from the UNICEF led by the Chief of Bauchi Field Office of UNICEF, Dr Tushar Rane.

Among the delegation was Nollywood Actress and UNICEF Child Health Ambassador, Ms. Kate Henshaw who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House Bauchi.

Mohammed said that his administration has welcomed the various programmes being implemented by UNICEF across the state, assuring that his administration was ready to complement the efforts for the advancement of healthcare service delivery and educational development.

He directed the relevant agencies to see to the immediate release of the state counterpart funds to all UNICEF-related interventions for sustainable growth and development.

Mohammed further directed health agencies in the state to ensure the effective implementation of programmes on healthcare delivery to improve immunisation coverage and transform the educational aspects of the state.

He said that his administration had constructed numerous healthcare centres and schools across the state for the good of the people, assuring further that support will be given for adequate transformation of the state.

Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Tushar Rane, appreciated and congratulated the governor on the huge successes recorded by his administration in the healthcare and education-related programmes.

He added that Bauchi remains a priority state of UNICEF as a result of the outstanding performance of the governor.

Rane also said that the collaboration efforts between the European Union and the United Nations Children Funds (EU-UNICEF) was to support the Bauchi state government with funds that will enable it to implement the Maternal, Child Health, Education, and Nutrition (MNCHN) Project in the state for improved family health and foster children’s educational growth.

He also said that the UNICEF Nigeria was pleased with the state government under the leadership of Mohammed, for the success of various partnership and Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of Health, Education and Children Welfare.

Also speaking, the UNICEF Child Health Ambassador, Henshaw,  commended Mohammed for the ‘transformation’ in the State, saying that Bauchi was home for her as she did her National Youth Service Corp(NYSC) in the state.

While calling on all stakeholders in the health sector to work together towards improving maternal and children nutrition, Henshaw said that the first 1,000 days of child life form the basis of child’s development into their full potential.