The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has received the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, to the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
During the visit, the governor expressed his enthusiasm for collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of children and youth in the state.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Soludo’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the governor commended UNICEF for its significant contributions to child welfare in the country.
He said, “UNICEF has a special place in my heart. Your organisation has made enormous strides in improving the health and education of children across Nigeria, and we are proud to be partners in these efforts.
“The pivotal role that children and youth play is the bridge to the future; the health and education of this demographic are critical to sustainable development.”
The governor also reiterated the motto of his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, which promotes inclusivity with the phrase, “Leave no one behind.”
Soludo expressed his eagerness to expand the partnership with UNICEF, adding, “Anambra is a worthy partner, and we are ready to collaborate in every aspect of social protection. What drives us is results, and we are committed to building that bridge to the future very strongly.”
He highlighted the achievement of Anambra in receiving a UNICEF award as the regional and national champion for its commitment to healthcare free antenatal care and delivery services, reiterating that his administration’s efforts in providing free antenatal care, free delivery services, including Caesarean operations, truly free education, among others, has made significant impact.
In her reactions, Munduate praised the governor’s political will to invest in health, adding, “Health and nutrition are not an expenditure, but an investment. We are proud to support your administration in this regard.”
She emphasised UNICEF’s dedication to honouring its partnership with Anambra through various programmes that focus on providing essential supplies, service delivery, and technical support.
“The importance of continued collaboration cannot be overemphasised. We hope we are honouring the trust you have in us, and together we can build a brighter future for the children of Anambra,” she added.
The meeting also addressed UNICEF’s multifaceted approach in Nigeria, combining direct service delivery with policy advocacy and social protection initiatives.
As the discussions progressed, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to improving the lives of children and youth in Anambra State, signalling a strong foundation for future initiatives that prioritise health, education, and social welfare.
In the entourage of the UNICEF Country Rep were the Chief Social Policy, Hamidou Poufon, Chief of Field Office, Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, Social Policy Officer, Victor Chima, Communications Officer, Ijeoma Onuoha-Onwe and Management Specialist, Safiya Akau-Knowledge.
On the government side were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ernest Ezeajughi, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike.
