UNICEF has signed an agreement with Airtel Nigeria
to further expand telecommunication services to boost U-Report, UNICEF’s unique a social media platform that empowers young people and communities with
information to transform their communities and drive positive change on a wide
range of issues affecting them.
A statement signed by Blessing Ejiofor,
Communication Officer, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said U-Report
uses simple short message service (SMS) and social media to reach more than
three million responders (U-Reporters) across all states in Nigeria on critical
issues.
This includes access to education, skills
development and employability, water and sanitation, health, violence against
children, safety and security, and the needs of internally displaced persons.
It relies on volunteers from the community, mostly young people serving as
U-Reporters, to provide information through polls. Results generated from
U-Report polls are shared with the office of the Vice President of Nigeria and other
relevant agencies for necessary action.
Speaking at the signing event, Segun Ogunsanya,
Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, said; “Airtel is pleased and excited
to be a part of the history and story of U-Report and we commend UNICEF for
blazing the trail in empowering young people and giving a voice to the
voiceless.
“We believe this partnership with UNICEF will
provide more Nigerians with a voice and also promote a more inclusive society,
a cause we are passionate about.
“Airtel Nigeria is also passionate about empowering
people and providing them an opportunity to rediscover themselves and to become
successful in their personal and professional endeavours. We are confident that
U-report will continue to deliver value in the remotest locations as we explore
more innovative and sustainable ways of helping the underprivileged and also
promoting corporate philanthropy.”
The statement further said that U-Report introduced
a second platform in Nigeria, U-Report 24×7, almost a year ago, dedicated to serving
the needs of affected populations in the north-east states of Borno, Yobe and
Adamawa. It has become a trusted channel for sharing lifesaving information on
essential household practices to adopt by communities during emergencies, such
as disease outbreaks.
U-Report is a platform for increased stakeholder
engagement and community empowerment.
“Partnerships are essential as we continue to
support communities to become active participants in finding solutions to
issues that affect them. We are delighted that AIRTEL Nigeria shares this
vision,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative.
The first U-Report poll in Nigeria was sent in April
2014, and since then over nine hundred polls have been shared on the platform
in English and the major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin,
making the platform inclusive. Political office holders also use the U-Report
platform to connect with their constituencies to find out their service
delivery needs and areas for improvement.
