Immunization: African Clerics, Royal Fathers, UNICEF Parley
FCT
From Iyefu Adoba in Abuja
Traditional rulers as well as religious leaders are meeting officials of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and health officials in Senegal, on the first of its kind Pan-African Forum on Building Trust for Immunization & Child Survival.
Entitled, "The Power of Faith and Tradition in Saving Children's Lives," the forum is sponsored by UNICEF and World Council on Religions for Peace and will discuss general immunization and child survival rates across Africa, which have been faltering for the last decade.
Expected at the forum which begins this week are Muslim and Christian Leaders from across Africa, traditional Chiefs from across Africa as well as Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, President, Commission of the African Union Alpha Konare, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, Secretary General World Conference on Religions for Peace, Dr. William Vendley
Members of the Nigerian delegation include: Health Minister Professor Eyitayo Lambo, the Secretary General of Jamatu Nasril Islam Justice Abdulkadir Orire, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria Most Reverend Peter Akinola, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Dr. John Onaiyekan.
Others are His Royal Highness Alhaji Sumaila Muhammadu Mera, Emir of Argungu (Representing the Sultan of Sokoto), Emir of Gwandu
Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, Baba Aladura Dr. G.I.M. Otubu, Chairman, Organization of African Instituted Churches, Dr. (Mrs.) Dere Awosika Chief Executive. National Programme on Immunization and Director General Nigeria Television Authority,
The three-days meeting intends to bring together some 200 hundred religious leaders, traditional chiefs, and media representatives from across the continent to jointly embrace the goal of child survival in Africa.
A statement from UNICEF states that through immunization and other basic services millions more lives could be saved each year. But success depends on reaching every child, especially in the most remote and marginalized communities.
Religious and traditional leaders in Africa command tremendous trust in their communities. UNICEF believes these leaders have an irreplaceable role to play in reaching the un-reached and building trust and demand for, life-saving health care for children.
Nigeria recently hosted a similar cross border meeting with religious and traditional rulers from neighbouring countries in Kano. At the meeting attended by more than 150 religious and traditional rulers from Cameroon, Chad, Benin Republic, Niger and Togo, a call to action for child survival, polio and routine immunization was made. The Nigerian delegation, which is one of the biggest among the 35 participating countries, will share its experiences in mobilizing traditional and religious leaders for Child survival, Polio and routine immunization.
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