Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, has been lauded for his administration’s child-friendly disposition. Chief of the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Pelucy Ntambirweki gave the commendation in Government House, Yenagoa during the signing of the 2010 Programme Implementation Agreement (P.I.A.) between the UNICEF and the state government which took place recently.

“We are proud of your amiable disposition and affection towards children. We are further gratified to note that the issue of children remain firmly on the front burner on the agenda of your administration”, the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office said.

Mrs. Ntambirweki, who noted that in Nigeria the progress of children has not been astronomical, said however that in spite of the many challenges, Bayelsa continues to be one of the states where the UNICEF has high hopes of transformation in the situation of children.

The UNICEF chief called on the state government to pass the Child Rights Bill as well as the State Emergency Management Agency Bill into Law, strengthen the co-ordination system for donor-supported programmes and intensify media campaign to promote behaviour and social change on exclusive breast feeding, birth registration, hand washing, safe excreta disposal and sleeping under insecticide treated nets.

She expressed hope that given the financial resources which both the UNICEF and the Bayelsa State government will be committing to the implementation of the country programme, there will be lots of achievements in the well-being of children and their mothers in Bayelsa State.
In his reaction, Governor Timipre Sylva assured the UNICEF delegation of government’s commitment to the quick passage of the Child Rights Bill, adding that he will assent to it as soon as it was passed by the State House of Assembly.

Sylva said Bayelsa State was more than willing to partner with the UNICEF, stressing that government is committed to accelerating the modest gains made in improving the quality of services provided for children.

While commending UNICEF for releasing its counterpart funds for the construction of water and sanitation facilities in the three model schools in each of the senatorial districts of the state, the governor assured that government will fully support the Child Health Week programme coming up next week.

On the issue of planning, Sylva said government was not only putting structures for sustainable development in place but was also instituting reforms that will strengthen the existing structures.

The Enugu Field Office of UNICEF is in charge of the South-South and South East zones of the country, with a mandate to meet the basic needs of children as well as expand their opportunities to reach their full potentials.