The executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, says investing in children’s health, education and protection strengthens both individual lives and the nation’s collective future.

Ms Russell made the remarks on Friday in Sokoto during an official visit to the state as part of her mission to Nigeria.

She said although Nigerian children face significant challenges, their resilience, talent and innovation remained the country’s greatest hope for the future.

She said her interactions with children and young people during the visit reaffirmed the need for sustained investment in their wellbeing and development.

“One message came through consistently: Nigerian children face significant challenges. But those challenges do not define Nigeria’s future.

“What defines that future is the extraordinary talent, resilience and innovation of its people,” she said.

The executive director acknowledged the Sokoto State government’s commitment to improving the health and education sectors, describing such efforts as critical to securing a better future for children.

According to her, decisions taken today on children’s welfare will have lasting impacts on the country’s development.

“The choices that are made today for children will shape Nigeria for decades to come.

“Every child who is healthy, learning and protected strengthens not only their own future but also the future of their community, this state and the nation,” she added.

Ms Russell also commended the dedication of health workers, teachers, local officials and mothers working tirelessly to give children the best possible start in life.

She noted that Nigeria’s public health challenges could be overcome through strong leadership, community participation and sustained partnerships.

The ED cited the country’s certification as free of the wild poliovirus in 2020 as evidence of what collective action can achieve.

“Today, our task is to protect these gains by ensuring that every child receives routine immunisation, every missed child is reached and surveillance remains strong,” she said.

Responding, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State commended UNICEF for including the state in the executive director’s official mission to Nigeria.

Mr Aliyu, represented by his deputy, Idris Gobir, expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s numerous interventions in the state, particularly in improving child health and welfare.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with UNICEF and other development partners to improve the wellbeing and living standards of the people.

The ED’s visit was to the Digital Village for Almajiri Education and Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre in Rumbukawa, where she interacted with students and nursing mothers, respectively. 

(NAN)