The United Nations Children’s Fund has estimated that $15 million is required to enhance the quality of life for citizens in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. This was disclosed by Christian Munduate, UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, during a news briefing in Gusau, following an interactive session with stakeholders at Gidanwada Model Primary School in Bungudu Local Government Area.
Christian Munduate urged the governors of Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States to provide matching grants to address the socioeconomic challenges and improve the quality of life for their citizens. She expressed regret over the high prevalence of malnutrition among children and nursing mothers in the three states.
Munduate emphasized that open defecation is a significant contributor to the spread of diseases, which could potentially undermine the progress made in combating polio in the states. She stressed that every Nigerian, particularly children and mothers, deserve access to essential services like quality education, healthcare, and nutrition. To address these challenges, Munduate encouraged the three states to work together with partners and stakeholders to improve the living conditions of their citizens. She also called for a strong collaboration with all stakeholders to meet the needs of children, mothers, and the entire population of the three states, as well as other Nigerians.
“Available record shows that there were at least 5.5 million severe and acutely malnourished children in Northern Nigeria,” she said.
She further reiterated that no fewer than 40 million Nigerians practice open defecation, which constitutes a major cause of disease outbreaks.
She said UNICEF had supported 50 Primary Healthcare Centers in collaboration with the Federal and Zamfara Governments.
Munduate said “All the PHCs are functional. We believe that they can maintain them to serve the people’s needs. We will be around to provide technical support to ensure sustainability.”
