The Country Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mrs. Wafaa Saeed, has urged Nigeria to take the lead on the African continent in advancing child survival and education across all its benefiting states.

Saeed made the call in Birnin Kebbi on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, her maiden official visit since assuming office. The trip, she explained, was aimed at deepening ties with Nigeria and particularly with Kebbi State, one of UNICEF’s key beneficiaries.

She highlighted UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening interventions in health and education, with a special focus on child protection, nutrition, and tackling the challenge of out-of-school children.

Saeed stated, “We commend Kebbi State Government for the huge funds it has released to stem malnutrition among children, saying such commitments mean that Kebbi, as a benefiting partner, is poised to join hands with UNICEF to eradicate or minimally reduce malnutrition and out-of-school children in the state.”

Responding on behalf of Governor Idris, the state’s Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar Tafida, welcomed Saeed and her team while expressing appreciation for UNICEF’s ongoing interventions.

He said, “We are ready to strengthen ties with UNICEF in the area of malnutrition and out-of-school children, which you have shown huge interest in curtailing. The menace of out-of-school children and child survival is one we are determined to fight, and I pledge more financial and moral support to UNICEF.”

During her visit, the UNICEF chief also commissioned vaccine cold boxes and other vaccination supplies at the Kebbi Central Medical Store in Birnin Kebbi, which UNICEF donated to the state government.

She explained that the contribution would bolster the state’s immunization campaign.

According to her, “The donation will aggravate the state government’s vaccination drive to guarantee healthier children.