Log In

UNICEF, S'West govts strategise to enhance children's welfare, rights

Published 2 weeks ago4 minute read

The Oyo State government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has convened an advocacy dialogue and capacity-building meeting with the Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and top officials from the Ministries of Information across the Southwest states of Nigeria.

The programme was an effort to advance children-centred advocacy and effective communication for children’s right actualisation.

The event themed, ‘Scaling Results for Children Through Evidence-Based Social and Behavioural Change’, was held at Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki, Lagos State.

It brought together key stakeholders to explore strategic ways to drive positive social change, promote children’s rights, and advance gender equity through effective communication practices and evidence-based policy alignment.

Representing the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, in his keynote address, emphasised that success would be measured not just by policies or meetings, but by real outcomes, well-nourished children, access to clean water and protection from vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The wellbeing of women and children through three fundamental pillars of public health — Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Immunisation — are interlinked and vital to the survival, growth, and development of our communities,” Oyelade said.”

He stressed the need for strategic communication, advocacy, and community engagement on social and behavioural change.

“We must ensure our messages are clear, culturally relevant, and widely disseminated. We must amplify grassroots voices and empower programmes that drive behaviour change.

“As Commissioner for Information, I am reminded of the power and responsibility that communication holds in the success of any public health intervention. Our communities can only benefit from nutrition programmes if they are aware of them. Clean water and sanitation will only be effective when people understand and adopt good hygiene practices. Immunisation will only reach its full potential if families trust and accept it,” he added.

Oyelade thanked UNICEF for its continued support through technical expertise and resources. He urged participants to be bold in ideas, open to collaboration, and relentless in their commitment to service.

“Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient future for all,” he noted.

In his remarks, UNICEF’s Chief of Social and Behaviour Change, Abuja, Kshitiy Joshi, emphasised the urgency of rethinking communication as a tool for transformation, stressing that “the world is changing every day.”

He highlighted the importance of data-driven, people-centred communication in shaping public attitudes and behaviours.

“We must go beyond awareness to action — addressing deeply rooted norms, influencing behaviours, and ensuring that no child is left behind,” he noted.

Joshi further noted that sustainable development for children cannot be achieved without the active involvement of Ministries of Information, which play a critical role in shaping public discourse and influencing societal behaviour at scale.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Oyo State, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, represented by Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Bukola Bakare, reiterated that the goal of the meeting was to improve the wellbeing of women and children and ensure that every child survives, thrives, and grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.

“Essential family practices are simple yet powerful actions that families can take to improve children’s health, nutrition, and development,” he said. “From exclusive breastfeeding and hand washing with soap to proper home care for illnesses and timely immunisations, these practices, when consistently adopted, save lives and lay the foundation for a productive and healthy life.”

In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun State, Kolapo Alimi; Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Communication, Kayode Akinmade; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Ekiti State, Olusesan Alabi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Olunde Sogunle; and Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Ondo State, Olanrewaju Akarakiri, commended UNICEF’s strategic role in promoting inclusive communication and policy engagement that prioritises the welfare of children and women.

They described UNICEF as a trusted partner in progress, whose interventions have significantly impacted communities across the region.

The representatives reaffirmed their states’ readiness to partner with UNICEF on future initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and vulnerable populations in the Southwest region.

Origin:
publisher logo
The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

You may also like...