UNICEF visits Gov. Ugwuanyi, lauds partnership on PHC, others

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for the fruitful working relationship and partnership it enjoyed with the state under his administration.

UNICEF also applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s great developmental strides, especially for the survival and welfare of children and women.

The international body expressed delight that the Governor has exhibited strong leadership and has been a reliable ally and champion for promoting the rights of the child.

Speaking when she led her team to the Government House, Enugu on a courtesy visit, the UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, stressed that Governor Ugwuanyi’s commitment to the set objectives of the body is impressive.

Munduate, who was received at the Government House, Enugu by Governor Ugwuanyi, his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and the Governor-elect of the state, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, said she was delighted at the seamless transition process in the state “which speaks well of the commitment that the incoming government and the outgoing government have towards the people.”

The UNICEF representative to Nigeria and her team were in Enugu State on a working visit to interact with the political leadership of the state as a farewell visit and in appreciation of Governor Ugwuanyi administration’s collaboration with UNICEF.

She further appreciated Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s role in being a key champion in the Primary Health Care (PHC) programmes, expressing confidence that the incoming administration of Dr. Mbah will sustain the legacy towards “giving children an opportunity to live, drive and develop.”

In her remarks, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, emphasised the commitment of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration in championing nutrition and strengthening Primary Health Care programmes in the state.

Chiluwe maintained that she was equally optimistic the smooth transition being witnessed in Enugu State will strengthen “the gains we have made and also in terms of making sure that the rights of children in Enugu State are attained.

“I would also want to thank the governor. We look forward to his institution of memory and we look forward to continued partnership.”

Welcoming the UNICEF representative to Nigeria and her team to Enugu State on behalf of Governor Ugwuanyi, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo thanked the international body for living up to its mandate in the state as well as being a reliable ally and partner of the state government in promoting and championing the survival, welfare and rights of the children and women in the state.

Governor Ugwuanyi disclosed that UNICEF has collaborated with his administration in some ways geared towards the general welfare of children and youths in the state, adding that the School Girls’ Life Skill Training Scheme, and Capacity and Skills Building of the Youths are two landmark programmes of fruitful collaboration.

The Governor highlighted numerous assistance that UNICEF gave to the state government especially during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, such as the launch and implementation of the state chapter of the National Youth Volunteer Programme for Hand Washing, and Clean Nigeria Campaign for COVID-19 Prevention.

He, therefore, urged UNICEF to continue extending its leadership technical capacities and material assistance to the state under the incoming administration, which he said is poised to collaborate with the international body towards the success of its programmes in the state and beyond.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Prof. Malachy Okwueze, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, his Budget and Planning counterpart, Dr. David Ugwunta, UNICEF Deputy Representative Operations, Gelfiya Shechienko, and the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Nigeria, Opiya Nixon were among the dignitaries at the event