UNICEF commends Sokoto’s investments in child healthcare, education

Sokoto State in Nigeria has received commendation from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell for its significant investments in child healthcare, education, and protection. Russell stated during her official visit that investing in children is the most reliable path to securing Nigeria's future.

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Investments in children remain the surest path to securing Nigeria’s future.

Representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Deputy Governor Idris Mohammed Gobir welcomed the UNICEF delegation at the Government House. He reaffirmed the state's dedication to strengthening its partnership with UNICEF and other development partners. Gobir expressed gratitude to UNICEF for choosing Sokoto for Russell's mission and acknowledged the agency's contributions to maternal and child health, education, and child protection within the state.

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We are working in collaboration with development partners such as UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children to improve the lives of our children and women.

Gobir detailed the current administration's focus on healthcare, including renovating health facilities, hiring over 1,500 nurses and midwives, and deploying 2,440 Community Health Extension Workers to primary healthcare centers. Investments in rural water supply, school infrastructure, and environmental improvements were also highlighted. In collaboration with UNICEF, Sokoto has established 10 integrated Qur'anic schools, child-friendly centers, ICT training facilities for Almajiri children, and vocational programs that have equipped 2,723 out-of-school children with start-up support.

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Sokoto is one of the states facing serious security challenges affecting our schools and healthcare facilities. This troubling situation severely undermines our commitment to ensuring that every child and every mother has access to a safe and nurturing environment.

However, Gobir also pointed out that insecurity continues to pose a serious threat to education and healthcare delivery in certain areas of Sokoto. He described the situation as troubling, severely undermining the state's commitment to providing safe and nurturing environments for children and mothers. He appealed to UNICEF and other partners for additional support to reconstruct and rehabilitate health and educational facilities damaged by attacks.

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I wish to request additional support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of health and educational facilities across the state.