In its ongoing commitment to sustain the maternal and child survival programmes in Cross River State, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has advocated for the enactment of an Executive Behavioral Public Policy.
The agency’s Social Behaviour Specialist, Enugu Area Office, Dr. Hilary Ozoh made the proposal when he visited the State’s Social Mobilization and Technical Committee (SOMTEC) team, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information in Calabar.
He explained that the proposed Executive Policy would help to encourage accountability by ensuring that all programmes are integrated into local government activities thereby empowering community members to create action plans that would facilitate the tracking of activities as well as progress monitoring.
The Social Behaviour Change Specialist noted that, despite the positive impact of UNICEF’s intervention programmes in the past, such initiatives are not being sustained over the years, adding that the proposed policy, though still in draft form, which will be forwarded to the Commissioner for onward transmission to the State Executive Council for approval, aims to institutionalize life-saving activities for the first 1,000 days of a child and for pregnant women especially at the local government level, ensuring effective and sustainable implementation at that level.
Dr. Ozoh, who encouraged the Social Mobilization and Technical Committee team in the State to remain united in its duty to save lives, remarked that Cross River was once a model State in the zone and urged the team to maintain a strong spirit to fulfill its mandate.
“I expect more from this group, and given your capabilities and the support from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), I am confident you will achieve the desired results,” he stated.
Dr Ozoh called on team members to leverage their innovation and experience for the overall success of the programme, particularly as preparations begin for community engagement in Odukpani Local Government Area and the upcoming Maternal and Newborn Week ceremony scheduled for June, 2025.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of information, Ntunkae Offiong expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its continued trust in the Ministry for programme implementation, and gave the assurance that they would not disappoint the global organization.
She highlighted the collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, noting their willingness to support the team’s efforts.
The Permanent Secretary assured the UNICEF representative that the team members were prepared to commence field activities as soon as they are mobilized, noting that a refresher course is currently being conducted to acquaint stakeholders with the selected thematic areas.
Also speaking, Mr. David Akate, the State Director of Information, expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its support and called for further collaboration to sustain the achievements made by previous administrations in improving the lives of mothers and children in the State.
Source: Pedro Arikpo
