Boko Haram used children for Borno bombings – UNICEF

NEWS

Boko Haram used children for Borno bombings – UNICEF

 

UNICEF, on Monday, condemned the use of children as suicide bombers in Nigeria.

The UN body said this in reaction to suspected Boko Haram suicide bombings in Mandarari community in Borno.

“According to several reports, three children – two girls and a boy (ages unknown) – were used to detonate explosives that killed 30 people and injured 40 others at a community football viewing centre in Konduga, Borno today.

‘UNICEF sends its condolences to all those who have been killed or injured in this horrific incident. It is unacceptable that children should be used in this way”, a statement by UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, said.

“UNICEF appeals to all those involved in this terrible conflict to protect children at all times and to keep them out of harm’s way.

“This incident brings the number of children who have been reported as having been used as human bombs to five, since January 2019. In 2018, 48 children – including 38 girls – were used in suicide attacks.

“We again call on all parties to the conflict in north-east Nigeria to immediately cease all attacks against civilians, to stop using children in this conflict, and to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

 

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Rivers, UNICEF to partner for Sustainable Development Goals in the State

BREAKING NEWS

Rivers, UNICEF to partner for 

Sustainable Development Goals in

the State 

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that the state government would partner with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in the state.

Governor Wike stated this on Thursday during a courtesy visit on him by the UNICEF Country Representative Mr. Mohammed Fall to the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike also directed relevant state government agencies to step up their performances for the expected improvement in key areas.

He said that the Rivers State Government has established structures to ensure improvements in the areas of immunisation, children and maternal healthcare, as well as sanitation.

The governor decried the fact that the state government is yet to attain 100 percent immunisation coverage, pointing out that the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies had been directed  to work round the clock to record improvement.

Said he, “Anything pertaining to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals will be tackled for the benefit of our people.

“We must progressively improve in all the areas where we are yet to attain 100 percent.  We must take vital steps to ensure we move at a pace  where everyone will be happy,” Governor Wike said.

The governor added that the State Government would engage in advocacy in the areas of breast feeding and immunisation.

Earlier, Mr. Fall commended Governor Wike for the regular payment of counterpart funds for critical United Nations programmes.

He solicited partnership with the Rivers State Government to deepen areas of cooperation for the attainment of greater results for the population.

He sought for the leadership of Governor Wike for consistent growth in the areas of the reduction of child and maternal mortality, improved immunization and breastfeeding, so that Rivers would be a reference point in Nigeria and the sub-region.

Fall regretted that the statistics for Nigeria in the areas of maternal mortality, child mortality and access to primary education were not  encouraging.  He said, if Nigeria attains the Sustainable Development Goals, it would impact positively on the continent.

Source by TheSun

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