LG Autonomy: UNICEF to Prioritize Community Engagement – Official

LG Autonomy: UNICEF to Prioritize Community Engagement – Official

By Fly Cable News reports

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it will prioritize community engagement to ensure sustainable outcomes and improve decision-making processes in Jigawa.
In light of the current local government autonomy, the UN agency stated it would strategically reposition its efforts to promote community involvement.

Rahman Farrah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, made this statement during the 2024 year review meeting held in Dutse on Tuesday.

Represented by Michael Banda, Officer in Charge of the Kano Office, Farrah emphasized that the shift was necessary due to changes in UNICEF’s interventions in the state from 2022 to 2024.

“We have made significant progress in various sectors, such as education, where we have reduced the number of out-of-school children. We also advanced efforts in the campaign against open defecation in local government areas,” he said.

“We’ve made strides in nutrition, health, child protection, birth registration, and poverty reduction through cash transfers under social policy programs,” Farrah added.

The review meeting, according to him, achieved three key objectives: assessing last year’s accomplishments, addressing changes in the environment, and identifying priorities and challenges hindering children’s rights.

UNICEF plans to focus on the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign, reducing the number of out-of-school children, improving immunization rates, and tackling maternal mortality.

Additionally, the organization will scale up birth registration as part of its child protection program. Farrah also highlighted the need to address the disparity between poor children who are at risk of missing out on education and health opportunities.

Through conditional cash transfers, UNICEF aims to reach children affected by poverty.

Farrah commended Governor Umar Namadi for his commitment to education and social sectors, particularly for the increased budget allocation.