Country Representative of the United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF, in Nigeria, Jean Goll has asked other state governors in the country to emulate the social protection policy programmes of their Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola. She stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy call on Mr. Aregbesola in Osogbo, the state capital. Ms. Goll described the school feeding programme and Agba Osun Welfare Scheme as policies that were adding value to the lives of pupils and and the elderly, saying they would be lasting legacies the administration would bequeath to the state. Describing education as the foundation for development, the UNICEF official said she was impressed by the infrastructure she saw in the newly constructed schools she visited. According to her, the school feeding, in addition to serving as encouragement and catalyst for pupils to stay in schools and learn are very rich in nutritional values. “Having gone round the schools, UNICEF is encouraged by the tremendous progress the state has made since the administration came on board,” she said. “The interview granted to us by some of the recipient of the Agba Osun welfare scheme has demonstrated goodwill as well as political will of the government to live lasting legacy in the minds of the people. “UNICEF is ready to partner with government at different levels of interaction on what strategies to be employed to ensure that 2014 to 2017 UNICEF activities in the state are successful,” she said. Responding, Mr. Aregbesola said people were the principal factor in development and that the six-point integral action of the government was focused on impacting on the populace. The governor said the continuation of the social protection policy of his administration was his reason for seeking the mandate of the people for the second time. According to him, governments were either popular or not depending on how the governed were affected. “You cannot find a better, willing and ready partner in the administration of Osun,” Mr. Aregbesola said. “We need you with every passion; we need you to partner with us because this administration sees the people in the image of God.” Also speaking, the Director General, Office of the Economic Development and Partnership, Office of the Governor, Charles Akinola, said the UNICEF partnership with the state at this level would further encourage the administration in its commitment to impact the lives of the people, especially the youths and the aged.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:58:03 +0000