Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has directed for 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 well-being of children and women as well as effective and efficient maternal healthcare delivery services in the State.
The Governor was speaking, Monday, 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.
Bala Mohammed said that his administration has welcomed the various programs being implemented by UNICEF across the state assuring that his administration is ready to complement the efforts for the advancement of healthcare service delivery and educational development.
He then 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.
Bala Mohammed further directed health agencies in the state to ensure the effective implementation of programmes on healthcare delivery to improve immunization coverage and transform the educational aspects of the state.
He said that his administration has constructed numerous healthcare centers 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 Governor Bala on the huge successes recorded by his administration in the healthcare and education-related programs.
He added that Bauchi is a priority state of UNICEF as a result of the outstanding performance of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Tushar Rane also said that the collaboration efforts between the European Union and the United Nations Children Funds (EU-UNICEF) is 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 is pleased with the State Government under the leadership of Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the success of various partnership and Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of Health, Education and Children Welfare.
Tushar Rane further said that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has been very supportive to the success of various programmes in the State through prompt payment of Counterpart Funds and pledged the unalloyed loyalty and support of UNICEF.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Child Health Ambassador Ms. Kate Henshaw, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for the transformation in the the State, saying that Bauchi was home for her as she did her National Youth Service Corp(NYSC) in the state where she was posted to the Teaching Hospital in the state to serve.
While calling on all stakeholders in the health sector to work together towards improving Maternal and children nutrition.Kate Henshaw said that the first 1000 days of child life form the basis of child’s development into his/her full potential.
She advocated for the provision of maternal nutrition, pointing out that a healthy mother produces a healthy child.
Highlights of the visit was the unveiling of a new nutrition campaign banner that is going to be used for creating more awareness on nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding.
