UNICEF Commends Plateau State’s Commitment to Improving Lives
From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
A United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) chief of field office Bauchi, Dr. Muzhat Rafique, has expressed admiration for the dedication shown by Plateau State’s leadership towards enhancing the well-being of its citizens.
Dr. Rafique was speaking at a media interactive session organised for Plateau journalists at the NUJ Press Centre Jos, on Thursday by the UNICEF communication team.
She described the dedication witnessed at the highest level of the state’s leadership of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as truly commendable.
” I am confident that anything they set out to achieve is possible,”
The Chief field officer explained that Plateau State has made significant progress in healthcare and nutrition, with the government funding nutrition projects and taking bold initiatives in primary healthcare.
While recognizing the state’s efforts, the UNICEF representative congratulated Governor Mutfwang’s commitment to improving the lives of Plateau State residents.
Dr. Muzhat Rafique maintained that UNICEF has been working closely with the state government to support the overall development of communities, especially mothers and children.
She said the organization believes that journalists play a crucial role in promoting positive change by highlighting success stories and good practices.
“We urge you to embrace positive journalism,” “We stand with you, ready to be guided by your insights. Let’s work together to bring positive change,”
“Highlight the good work being done, the successful interventions, and the practices that need strengthening. When good practices are promoted, harmful traditions gradually fade away.” The UNICEF representative added.
While lamenting that Nigeria has one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates in Africa, she was quick to say that UNICEF is working to address the issue. Adding that
the organization has identified five important priority areas for child survival and development such as birth registration, immunization, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and education.
Dr Rafique further explained that In Plateau State, UNICEF is supporting the government’s efforts to provide Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) programs to combat malnutrition. The organization is also advocating for more RUTF procurement to help already malnourished children.
She however assured that, as Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration continues to prioritize healthcare and nutrition, “UNICEF remains committed to supporting the state’s efforts”
Speaking earlier in their separate presentations, the UNICEF media partner and communication officer, Umar Shira and Opeyemi Olagunju respectively said the aim of the meeting was to foster a good working relationship with UNICEF particularly on children and women hence the need for more advocacy through media reportage.
They both said because UNICEF is more concerned with children and women, there was need to protect their survival and development, therefore their rights ought not to be jeopardized, but becared for.
Open defecation is seen as a major threat to the life the children and when curtailed, it cuts off life threatening infection to the children, for them to have life, you all need to enlightenen the public on the dangers through your various media outfits ” said the officers.
The Plateau State Council Chairman of NUJ, Ayuku Pwaspo, who was represented by her Vice, Pam musa, thank UNICEF Bauchi for its partnership and assured of her members commitment and support for it to succeed.
Our correspondent reports that UNICEF Bauchi activities covers Gombe Adamawa and Taraba states and also hope to extend to Plateau.
