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ECHO, UNICEF partner to safeguard Nigeria’s children impacted by crisis in North-East
In order to safeguard Nigerian children who are negatively impacted by the crisis in North East of the country, UNICEF, in partnership with European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) has launched a programme which the global body described as groundbreaking.
In a statement sent Nationwide Reports. UNICEF said the programme was launched to expedite life-saving responses, and deliver essential nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene supplies to children in Nigeria’s conflict affected North-East region.
It added that the new collaboration between the two agencies targets those living in crowded camps for displaced persons and conflict-stricken locations throughout the region.
The statement stated that- “In addition, through the coordination of the Rapid Response Mechanism, this action will seek to reach the most underserved communities in hard-to reach-locations, with a lifesaving integrated package of nutrition and WASH assistance to address their immediate needs.
“With generous funding from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), this life-changing initiative aims to uplift the lives of nearly 88,000 people including nearly 50,000 severely acute malnourished children. The programme’s main objective is to establish preventative measures and treatments to mitigate wasting, disease outbreaks, and child protection risks, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity amongst children already plagued by conflict and repeated displacements.
“The longstanding conflict in Nigeria’s north-east region continues to extract a grave toll on children’s wellbeing, as well as on pregnant and lactating women. The UN estimates that over 8 million people require humanitarian aid, with roughly 2.2 million children under five and pregnant or lactating women suffering from wasting in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. Alarmingly, 60% of children in these three states are impacted by wasting, with only 31 per cent of these children having access to treatment services. This year alone, UNICEF and partners project that over 700,000 children will require wasting treatments across North-East Nigeria.”
“The innovative programme will extend the use of the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) approach—an easily applied method for assessing children’s malnutrition status—to a greater number of vulnerable infants and young children. Additionally, it will empower mothers and caregivers to identify wasting in their children. Slated to run for one year, this programme will prioritize supporting both nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sectors, enabling partner organizations to coordinate effectively and deliver vital supplies swiftly, particularly in crisis-prone locations.
“Children and women in North-East Nigeria need not continue being deprived of fundamental survival services. We must work relentlessly to eradicate wasting and prevent needless deaths among the country’s most disadvantaged individuals,” the statement quoted Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria as saying.
Munduate added, “We are profoundly grateful for ECHO’s support, which will enable us to reach the most vulnerable children. This means fewer deaths and more healthy children It also ensures our clinics will consistently have essential medications and micronutrients to enhance child survival rates.”
International Press Institute (IPI) has called for the immediate recall of the Channels TV journalists expelled from the Akwa Ibom State Government House on the state government’s orders.
The IPI through a press statement signed by Tobi Soniyi and Ochiaka Ugwu , Chairman and Secretary, Advocacy group demands immediate reversal of the order .
The Channel TV Correspondent and Cameraman were expelled following a video clip aired on Channels TV in which Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, was seen confirming his imminent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The IPI insisted that “the state government’s reckless action is an alarming development.
” These journalists are experienced media personnel with a deep knowledge of government activities, and no journalist should be made to face this kind of humiliating treatment simply for doing their job. We will continue to support and encourage impartial reportage no matter the situation.
“We strongly condemn the Akwa Ibom State Government’s action, which is a direct attack on the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.
“The state government’s action is also a gross violation of SECTION 22 of CHAPTER 2 of the constitution, which provides that “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.”
“It is especially distressing and disappointing that Governor Umo Eno, considered a media-friendly state executive, could behave in this unacceptable and anti-democratic manner.
“We hereby remind him that independent journalism, press freedom and unbiased reportage are essential to democracy.
“We call on the governor to immediately reverse the expulsion and save his government from further embarrassment,” IPI said.
Nigerian celebrity veteran actress, Kate Henshaw, has said people see her as woman of easy virtue when in fact she has maintained her dignity and pride since after the collapse of her marriage.
She said- “Since my divorce, I’ve walked in silence. No scandal. No tape. No exposé. Not one soul has ever stood up to say, “She slept with me.” Yet the whispers never stop.
“But let me remind you — silence is not weakness. It is elegance. I choose peace over noise. Dignity over drama, because when you truly know your worth, you stop explaining yourself to people who’ve made up their minds to misunderstand you.
“Keep talking if it helps you sleep.
But remember: Lies travel fast, karma travels silently… and hits hard.”
Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist and lawyer, Saturday night, took.a swipe at Peter Obi, the ex-presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP and his supporters popularly called ‘Obidients’ over attack on the former presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, Omoleye Sowore.
In a statement signed by Adeyanju and made available to newsmen, he said the attacks to disable Sowore’s Facebook page are undemocratic and meant to silence opposing voices.
He said: “It is disappointing that Peter Obi’s supporters, known as the Obidient group, ganged up to report Omoyele Sowore’s Facebook page simply because he keeps speaking the truth about their candidate.
“This shameful move led to the disabling of Sowore’s page. This is not democracy. If you truly want a better Nigeria, you don’t silence opposing voices.
“Let’s be honest: Obi’s time as Anambra governor was full of failures. Doctors went on strike, education suffered, and he refused to hold local government elections.
“The killings of MASSOB members under his watch remain unresolved. Yet his supporters work hard to paint him as a saint.
“He moved from APGA to PDP, where he ran with Atiku, then to Labour Party, showing he has no clear ideology. The PDP he served in helped ruin Nigeria.
“Sowore has always stood for truth and justice. These attacks by Obidient supporters supported and sanctioned by Peter Obi himself are aimed to hide the truth.”
However, he added that “Nobody hates Peter Obi, what we oppose are the lies and image-washing by his followers. We won’t let politics become a cult. Nigeria deserves truth and accountability.”
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