Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has attributed the reduction in out-of-school children in the state to efforts of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Ortom said this when the UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, and other staff of the organisation visited Makurdi.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu, said that he could proudly say that the issue of out-of-school children had been tackled.
He said that currently, the state was not experiencing the challenge except for the children who were displaced and were presently taking shelter in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
“Except for the children in IDP camps who are out-of-school, you cannot find any child of school age that is not enrolled in school in the state.
“This is made possible because of our collaboration of UNICEF with the state government.
“UNICEF has done a lot for the people of the state in so many areas of human endeavor. The organisation is not found wanting. It has done her best,” Ortom said.
Earlier, Munduate informed the governor that UNICEF would build a Mother and Child Hospital in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.
The country representative said that all arrangements had been concluded to execute the project to conclusion in a record time.
She said that the gesture was aimed at assisting the locals to have easy access to quality health care.
Munduate further admonished the people to always seek medical attention whenever they were sick.
The country representative also encouraged them to endeavour to register the birth of their new born babies, stressing that their children need to have birth certificates.
She advised parents to ensure that their children were always immunised with Vitamin A, adding that it was good for the development and growth of children.
Responding, the District Head of Mbawa, Chief Oliver Chado, appreciated UNICEF for her efforts in making life better for them, emphasising that it had done a lot for his community.
Chado appealed to the organisation not to relent in supporting his community rather the support should be sustained. (NAN)
