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The Nigeria Football Federation and United Nations Children’s Fund have commenced discussions on a strategic partnership aimed at promoting campaigns that will improve the welfare of the girl-child in Nigeria.
The talks, which are expected to culminate in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will focus on key social issues including polio eradication, child protection, and campaigns against child molestation.
General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, on Wednesday received a UNICEF delegation led by the organisation’s Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Partnership, Lone Hvass, at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, Hvass said UNICEF intends to engage players of Nigeria’s senior women national team, the Super Falcons, in awareness campaigns focused on children’s welfare.
“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.
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“We have had successful collaborations in the past with great Nigerian football ambassadors and we believe role models from sports are extremely powerful for these campaigns.”
Sanusi welcomed the initiative, describing child development as a cause the current NFF leadership is deeply committed to supporting.
“Polio has had a devastating impact on children in Africa, including Nigeria. Any effort to protect children from polio and related diseases is welcome, and you have our full support,” he stated.
He added that football remains a powerful platform for social advocacy and noted that players from Nigeria’s U-20 and U-17 women national teams could also participate in the campaigns once the partnership is formalised.
Officials present at the meeting included UNICEF communication specialists Susan Akila and Samuel Kaalu, as well as top NFF officials such as Ademola Olajire, Ruth David, Rajan Zaka, Alizor Chuks and Enebi Achor.
