BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Nigeria Country Representative of United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Ms Cristian Munduate 
has sought for a collaboration with wife of the Sokoto state governor, Hajiya Fatima Aliyu to improve birth registration and nutrition issues in the  state. 

Ms Cristian who spoke Monday during a courtesy visit to the governors wife, decried  that, 
Sokoto has about 1.5 million unregistered children.

“The state has over 1.5 million children under five years who have not been registered. And having a certificate when you are born, not only gives you the right to have an official name, but also it can help households and families and children to have better access to social services such as health, nutrition and education””, Cristian affirmed. 

The UNICEF boss who came to Sokoto to  inaugurate the Special Care Baby Unit added that, aside wanting to move faster in reaching children who are not yet immunized, they equally concerned about birth registration. 

While advising against delivery at home, Ms Cristian applauded Sokoto governor’s wife as a very  committed leader in the state who is leading programmes that devoted to supporting children.

“”We know as the wife of the governor, you can reach the people and the governor on the importance of social services””, Ms Cristian enthused. 

Responding, the wife of Sokoto state governor, Hajiya Fatima Aliyu said she really appreciates the efforts of UNICEF in all ramifications. 

She further pledged her support for UNICEF saying, “”I want to assure you that, I am hundred percent ready to give UNICEF the maximum support needed to archived the desired success””.

Continuing, the governor’s wife said, she appreciates the idea of birth registration, noting that, any nation that does not know her legitimate citizens through accurate data cannot plan well for them. 

UNICEF had earlier said  the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) to be inaugurated will mark a significant achievement in improving maternal and newborn healthcare services in Sokoto State. 

“”The SCBU, funded by UNICEF’s internal regular resources and GAVI, and constructed by UNICEF on behalf of the Sokoto State Government, will provide specialized care for sick and small newborns””.