The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the rescue of abducted 39 pupils and 5 teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The UNICEF delegation, led by Catherine Russell, the Executive Director Mission to Nigeria, gave this commendation during a visit to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday in the State House.
Catherine Russell further appreciated the First Lady for putting women and children on the front burner of her various interventions particularly through the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI.
“I think investing in women and children is an investment into the future of the nation”.
“UNICEF is glad to stay part of the time, helping as much as possible, we thank the leadership for rescuing children in conflict”.
“What I see in my travels around the world is that conflict is one of the most difficult situations for children, whether it is displacement, conflict, violence, abductions, whatever it is, children need to be protected in these situations”.
UNICEF also commended the First Lady for championing the birth registration drive which resulted in an upsurge to 14 million children across the country within two years.
The United Nations Organisation applauded this massive success pointing out that it was achieved through several key factors including the direct contribution of Senator Oluremi Tinubu advocating through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“I think as Nigeria continues to advavance, this will be an important moment to invest in children and I like to commend the leadership and RHI for birth registration”.
“Birth registration is one of the most important because children are part of our priority to guarantee a great future”.
The Executive Director Mission to Nigeria also acknowledged the First Lady for playing a pivotal role in the campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among others.
The First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her response expressed her gladness for the return of the abducted children and for UNICEF to identify with the government at during the dark periods.
”We are used to UNICEF coming to partner with our office in the way of advocacy because we know we have ministries and the work of the First Lady is for complementary and support”.
“I agree with you that children are very important in any country for the development of that country”.
“When you have children and they are not well invested in, no matter how wealthy that country is, they will not be able to make substantial growth”.
“That is why, for me, with education background in teaching, I have known that we have to invest in our children”.
“Like you mentioned, the children in conflict areas, you also understand that Nigeria is a developing economy and the population size is quite daunting”.
The First Lady mentioned other areas of concern including the increasing number of out of school children mostly the Almajiris.
She said the government is also looking into ensuring that they are well placed and gain formal education in special schools in addition to skills acquisition.
Other members of the delegation include UNICEF, Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef; Chief of Staff, Mr Ted Mary; Senior Adviser, Communication, Marlene Jensen, head of project Marline Serrano and Executive Specialist, Nabila Jamshed.