The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, has said that eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno were left behind in immunization.
The affected LGAs are Maiduguri Metropolitan, Damboa, Gubio, Jere, Konduga, Mafa, Monguno and Ngala.
Munduate disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Maiduguri on Friday.
He said that the eight LGAs were among the 100 LGAs in Nigeria with the highest number of unimmunised children in the country.
Munduate, who was on a working visit to Borno, said that he discussed development issues and the way forward with Borno Government and other partners in the state.
She said that other areas discussed included school enrolment, acute malnutrition, issuance of birth certificates, nutrition, water and sanitation.
She said that this was her fourth visit to the state and that she was impressed by the resilience of the people in the face of many challenges.
She lauded the state government for its commitment in building the resilience of citizens affected by the insurgency, and urged the media to intensify citizens’ mobilization to ensure safety of children by giving them education, healthcare and other services being provided.
“I met with Gov. Babagana Zulum and applauded him on the excellent collaboration between his government and UNICEF in health, nutrition, protection, WASH and social protection of children in Borno.
“I also had an opportunity to visit Ngala LGA and saw firsthand how UN partners and NGOs are supporting the government with meeting the ever-growing needs of internally displaced persons.
“A lot more needs to be done by all of us – government, UN, NGOs, communities and individuals.
“I extend my full support and commitment to the government and people of Borno,” Munduate said.
The UNICEF representative, who also spoke on this year’s World Humanitarian Day scheduled for Saturday, thanked all the humanitarian workers in the North-East for their firmness, in spite of all adversity to serve the people.
She said that at least 1.4 million children living in conflict-prone areas in the region had been provided with psychosocial support.
