Rivers govt, UNICEF partner for the attainment of sustainable development goals

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7 years ago

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that his government would partner with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in the state.

To this end, the State Government has established structures to ensure improvements in the areas of immunization, children and maternal health care as well as sanitation.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the UNICEF Country Representative, Mr Mohammed Fall to the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike directed relevant government agencies to step up their performance for the expected improvement in key areas.

The governor decried the fact that the State Government is yet to attain 100 percent immunization coverage, pointing out that the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies have been directed to work round the clock to record improvement.

“Anything pertaining to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals will be tackled for the benefit of our people.

“We must progressively improve in all the areas where we are yet to attain 100 percent. We must take vital steps to ensure we move at a pace where everyone will be happy “, Governor Wike said.

The governor added that the State Government will engage in advocacy in the areas of breasfeeding and immunization.

Earlier, the Country Representative of UNICEF, Mr Mohammed Fall commended Governor Wike for the regular payment of counterpart funds for critical United Nations programmes.

He solicited partnership with the Rivers State Government to deepen areas of cooperation for the attainment of greater results for the population.

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He sought for the leadership of Governor Wike for consistent growth in the areas of the reduction of child and maternal mortality, improved immunization and breastfeeding, so that Rivers State will be a reference point in Nigeria and the sub-region.

He regretted that the statistics for Nigeria in the areas of maternal mortality, child mortality and access to primary education are not encouraging. He said if Nigeria attains the Sustainable Development Goals, it will impact positively on the continent.