Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, the Chief of Field Office for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Enugu, has urged governments, stakeholders, and communities to take responsibility for projects implemented in their respective areas to fully realize the anticipated benefits,leadership reports.
Addressing participants at the year-end review meeting for Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Enugu states in 2023, Mrs. Chiluwe emphasized that UNICEF functions as a catalyst, bridging the gap between donors and beneficiaries, rather than being an implementing organization. She stressed the importance of strong partnerships and called on governments and stakeholders to actively support and take ownership of projects in their states and communities.
Mrs. Chiluwe expressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders to guide UNICEF in project identification, ensuring that executed projects are not misused. Emphasizing accountability, she highlighted the importance of transparently tracking every expenditure to ensure proper financial management.
ALSO READ: Sanwo-Olu, Zulum To Lead Dignitaries For Arts Exhibition For IDPs
The focus of the meeting was on assessing UNICEF’s progress in contributing to and achieving results for children in Nigeria, covering areas such as emergency responses, adolescents, gender issues, and factors influencing the success or challenges faced. The discussion delved into the innovative approaches employed in the country’s programs, lessons learned from operational effectiveness over the past year, and the driving factors behind successful partnerships.
The review also examined the strategic priorities outlined for the country program in 2024, aligning them with the rolling work plan. It scrutinized the extent to which UNICEF leveraged partnerships to expand outreach and enhance the impact on children, including collaborations across various sectors.
Reports from different implementing units, encompassing health, education, nutrition, child protection, planning, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), communication, among others, were presented during the review meeting.
