The Sokoto State Government and the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on child education, health and malnutrition in the state.

The agreement was signed at the Government House, Sokoto, between the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Jean Gough.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tambuwal said, “The signing is one event we have been waiting for as it will ensure the improvement of the lives of our people in various sectors of development.

“We look forward to collaborate with any organisation across the globe in making the state achieve all necessary needs across all sectors.”

He appealed for more support from the UN agency and said that the state government was committed to ensuring successful implementations of all agreements.

The governor assured that the government would remain committed to the course of children’s welfare in spite of the myriad of challenges confronting it.

Earlier, Gough had called on the state government to initiate free- feeding programme in primary schools across the state.

She said that the gesture would serve as support to parents and encourage most children at the grassroots to go to school as well and reduce malnutrition among children.

“We will support Sokoto state in the area of education by allocating more resources to achieve the desired goals on the state-of-emergency in the sector.”

According to her, UNICEF is always ready to support the government, and it is committed to protecting the lives and rights of children.

Gough said that the fund would help in meeting basic needs of the children and to expand their opportunities to attain full potential. (NAN)