By
Jamilu Abubakar
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has called on Local Government Councils in Adamawa State to prioritise interventions that support children during their first one thousand days of life in their 2027 plans and budgets.
UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, made the call at a two-day advocacy meeting in Gombe State for Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and other officials from the 21 Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, as well as officials of the State Government.
Dr Rafique said the meeting was designed to strengthen the capacity of Local Government authorities in planning, budgeting and advocating for increased investment in programmes that deliver measurable results for children.
She explained that the first one thousand days, covering the period from conception to a child’s second birthday, are critical to survival, healthy growth and development.
According to the UNICEF Chief, adequate antenatal care, safe delivery, postnatal services, exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, improved sanitation and child protection are among the essential interventions required to give every child a healthy start in life.
Dr Rafique therefore urged Local Government Chairmen and their management teams to adequately reflect these priorities in their 2027 plans and budgets to improve access to essential services for mothers and children at the grassroots.
She also highlighted the Child Nutrition Fund, CNF, through which government funding for nutrition interventions is matched by UNICEF, describing the co-financing arrangement as an opportunity to mobilise additional resources to tackle malnutrition and improve child survival.
Representing the Adamawa State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, the Vice Chairman of Demsa Local Government Area, Amsam Thaddawus, said the two-day meeting would strengthen the capacity of council officials to address challenges affecting children and families at the grassroots.
She identified poverty, poor sanitation and inadequate personal hygiene as some of the challenges confronting communities, stressing the need for improved sanitation facilities and sustained public enlightenment to prevent diseases.
Thaddawus said Local Governments must also pay greater attention to the nutritional needs of children to ensure healthy growth and development, while addressing other challenges affecting families at the community level.
The Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Makallan Akila, said the participation of officials from the 21 Local Government Areas and the State Government would strengthen planning and investment in programmes that directly improve the wellbeing of children.
Akila identified nutrition, sanitation, a healthy environment and access to appropriate food as critical to children’s growth and development, while acknowledging UNICEF’s continued partnership with the Adamawa State Government in healthcare and other development interventions.
The two-day advocacy meeting in Gombe State is expected to strengthen coordination between the State and Local Governments and promote child-focused planning and budgeting to improve nutrition, health, sanitation, protection and other essential services for children across Adamawa State.
