BY AFOLABI GAMBARI

A new partnership between UNICEF and IHS Towers is about to accelerate tangible and sustained improvements in the well-being and development of children in rural communities in Nigeria. Reports last week said UNICEF has signed a partnership with IHS Nigeria, the Nigerian subsidiary of IHS Towers, in support of a Child Friendly Community Initiative (CFCI) on which UNICEF is working with the Nigerian government to empower and strengthen the capacity of local governments and rural communities, including local development councils, religious and traditional leaders, to adopt child-centred attitudes, behaviours and practices and improve access to basic services that promote child well-being and development. The UNICEF’s effort, especially on child development, has attracted the most attention from the right quarters in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari recently launched a programme in conjunction with the world body in Abuja, outlining his government’s commitment to developing the child towards self-sufficiency and independency. Findings have also revealed that children and women in Nigeria face multiple deprivations and challenges, many rooted in poverty and inequality, with millions of them vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, illiteracy and numerous violations of their rights. Therefore, UNICEF’s aim is for the Child Friendly Community Initiative to help sustained improvements for children in rural Nigeria who are consistently experiencing the highest levels of deprivation and poverty, with a view to making Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins could not have put it in a better way during a media interaction last week in Abuja: “Vulnerable children tend to suffer from multiple overlapping deprivations that are often mutually reinforcing.” Despite the remark, Hawkins was not done: “At UNICEF, we believe that an integrated approach that actively supports communities and local government with child-centred planning and service delivery, informed decision-making and corresponding attitudes, behaviours and practices that lead to better outcomes for children in required.” IHS Towers Co-founder, Senior Vice President and IHS Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Mohamad Darwish, said UNICEF could also not have driven the initiative home in the most proper manner: “Our four pillars – Ethics, People, Environment and Education – have been critical in driving our sustainability efforts within local communities in which we operate throughout the country and we are delighted to partner with UNICEF to continue addressing the needs of the most vulnerable individuals, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.” UNICEF believes that a child-friendly community is one where children receive the nutrients, dietary diversity and stimulation that they need to develop; where every child is fully immunized, has a birth certificate, is protected from violence, exploitation and abuse. Such optimally functional community must also provide access to quality health care, education and clean water. It should be where the community is certified as open defecation free; and where parents, caregivers, young people and community leaders are informed about and actively engaged in promoting the well-being and development of children. The reports said communities would be sensitized on child rights and child-centred attitudes, behaviours and practices and means of improving access to basic services that promote child well-being and development. In addition, community level structures and institutions would also be strengthened through training to actively plan, manage services as well as maintain and sustain created assets. Hawkins summed up things thus: “The Child Friendly Community Initiative will be accelerated across Nigeria with the active engagement and support of a diverse range of stakeholders. The private sector has a key role to play as well. We are delighted that IHS shares this vision and is the first company to join the initiative, demonstrating how the private sector can help boost development for children.” How soon the rural communities would begin to make lasting impact, with regard to the UNICEF/IHS collaboration, remains to be seen. But what is certain is that UNICEF is committed to delivery of this initiative; and so is its partner IHS.

*Afolabi Gambari Journalist, Environmentalist, Social Commentator writes from Lagos, Nigeria Tel: +2348064651922, +2348116706849