The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have begun discussions towards a strategic partnership focused on polio eradication, girl-child protection, and other child welfare campaigns across Nigeria, Trybal News Reports.
Speaking during a meeting at the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, welcomed a UNICEF delegation led by the Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnership, Lone Hvass, as both organisations explored collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children, particularly girls.
Hvass revealed that UNICEF plans to engage members of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, as ambassadors for awareness campaigns on polio and child protection issues.
Our objective is to engage a couple of players of the Super Falcons to speak out about polio, raise awareness, and address other key issues affecting children,” Hvass said.
We have had successful collaborations in the past with great Nigerian ambassadors and we believe role models from sports are extremely powerful for these campaigns. Families and children listen when trusted and respected figures speak on important social issues.”
Dr Sanusi applauded UNICEF’s commitment to child development, stressing that the current NFF leadership shares the same passion for protecting and empowering children.
Polio has had a devastating impact on children across Africa, including Nigeria. Any effort aimed at protecting children from polio and related diseases deserves our full support,” Sanusi stated.
Football remains one of the most powerful tools for driving positive social campaigns. Once a memorandum of understanding is finalized, we will explore different avenues for awareness and advocacy. We can also involve players from our U20 and U17 women’s national teams in these noble initiatives.”
Also present at the meeting were UNICEF officials Susan Akila and Samuel Kaalu, alongside senior NFF executives including Dr Ademola Olajire, Ruth David, Rajan Zaka, Alizor Chuks, and Enebi Achor.
