By Christian ABURIME
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR warmly received Cristian Munduate, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, to the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, on Tuesday, 13 May, 2025
During the visit, the Governor expressed his enthusiasm for collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of children and youth in the state.
Governor Soludo commended UNICEF for its significant contributions to child welfare in the country, stating, “UNICEF has a special place in my heart. Your organization has made enormous strides in improving the health and education of children across Nigeria, and we are proud to be partners in these efforts.”
The Governor noted the pivotal role that children and youth play as the bridge to the future, emphasizing that the health and education of this demographic are critical to sustainable development.
He reiterated the motto of his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which promotes inclusivity with the phrase, “Leave No One Behind.”
Governor Soludo expressed his eagerness to expand the partnership with UNICEF, stating, “Anambra is a worthy partner, and we are ready to collaborate in every aspect of social protection. What drives us is results, and we are committed to building that bridge to the future very strongly.”
He highlighted the achievement of Anambra in receiving a UNICEF award as the regional and national champion for its commitment to healthcare free antenatal care and delivery services, reiterating that his administration’s efforts in providing free antenatal care, free delivery services, including Caesarean operations, truly free education, among others, has made significant impact.
Munduate praised the Governor’s political will to invest in health, stating, “Health and nutrition are not an expenditure but an investment. We are proud to support your administration in this regard.”
She emphasized UNICEF’s dedication to honoring its partnership with Anambra through various programmes that focus on providing essential supplies, service delivery, and technical support.
The meeting also addressed UNICEF’s multifaceted approach in Nigeria, combining direct service delivery with policy advocacy and social protection initiatives. Munduate stressed the importance of continued collaboration, saying, “We hope we are honoring the trust you have in us, and together we can build a brighter future for the children of Anambra.”
As the discussions progressed, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to improving the lives of children and youth in Anambra State, signaling a strong foundation for future initiatives that prioritize health, education, and social welfare.
In the entourage of the UNICEF Country Rep. were the Chief Social Policy, Hamidou Poufon, Chief of Field Office, Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, Social Policy Officer, Victor Chima, Communications Officer, Ijeoma Onuoha-Onwe and Management Specialist, Safiya Akau-Knowledge.
While on the government side were Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike.
