UNICEF lauds Rivers’ child-friendly disposition

By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has been lauded for his administration’s child-friendly disposition by the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund, UNICEF.

Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Pelucy Ntambirweki, gave the commendation in Yenagoa, during the signing of the 2010 Programme Implementation Agreement, PIA, between UNICEF and the state government.

“We are proud of your amiable disposition and affection towards children. We are further gratified to note that the issue of children remains firmly on the front burner of your administration,” the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office said.

Mrs. Ntambirweki, who noted that in Nigeria,  the progress of children has not been astronomical, added that in spite of the many challenges, Bayelsa continues to be one of the states,  where Unicef has high hopes of transforming the situation of children.

She called on the state government to pass the Child Rights Bill as well as the State Emergency Management Agency Bill into law, to strengthen the co-ordinationing system for donor-supported programmes and intensify media campaign to promote behaviour and social change on exclusive breast feeding, birth registration, hand washing, safe excreta disposal and sleeping under insecticide treated nets.

She expressed the hope that given the financial resources which both the Unicef and the Bayelsa State government will be committing to the implementation of the country programme.