UNICEF secures N3.6 bn grant for victims of sexual violence in North East Nigeria

The United Nations Children’s  Fund (UNICEF)  has secured a grant of N3.6 billion (about $11.5 million) from the Norwegian government to improve basic education and support girls and women as well as victims of sexual violence by Boko Haram in conflict affected states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe in North East Nigeria.

UNICEF representative to Nigeria, Mohamed  Fall signed on behalf of the organisation, while Norwegian ambassador to Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud signed for his  country in the presence of the Norwegian foreign minister, Borge Brende was also present.

According to a statement made available to the media, the fund will also boost access to education for half a million internally displaced boys and girls and support bout 1,600 girls and woman ‘’that have been raped, abducted and forcibly married as a result of the conflict.’’

Several people have been displaced as a result of the conflict in the North East of the country with girls and women being the most vulnerable group in the area.

Meanwhile, a four-day workshop on capacity strengthening  of media capacity, civil society organisations and advocacy skills for improving nutrition programme and child survival in four states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers has ended in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Organised by UNICEF Port Harcourt Field office in conjunction with the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, the workshop also exposed participants to the urgent need for good nutrition among children as wells the importance of exclusive breast feeding for children in the first six months of their lives.