A report by the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, ranks Nigerian 174 out of 180 countries, below Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan for performance in child flourishing.
The report tagged: A Future for the World’s Children? Gathered by UNICEF and some of its partner states that by ranking 174th, Nigeria is in the bottom 10 on the performance scale for child flourishing.
According to the statement signed by the UNICEF Nigeria Communication specialist, Geoffry Njoku, the ranking is based on factors including measures of child survival and well-being such as health, education, nutrition, equity, and income gaps.
The report includes a new global index of 180 countries, comparing performance on child flourishing.
Also Read: Fake news on President Buhari’s 20-day foreign trip – Presidency
The report found that the health and future of every child and adolescent worldwide is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change, and exploitative marketing practices that push heavily processed fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco at children.
The report, however, said no single country is adequately protecting children’s health, their environment, and their futures.
Also Read: EFCC holds nationwide anti-corruption walk
The situation is worse in the poorest countries that need to do more to support their children’s ability to live healthy lives, excessive carbon emissions -disproportionately from wealthier countries – threaten the future of all children.
The report added that if global warming exceeds 4°C by the year 2100 in line with current projections, this would lead to devastating health consequences for children, due to rising ocean levels, heatwaves and proliferation of diseases like malaria, dengue, and malnutrition.
The index showed that children in Norway, the Republic of Korea, and the Netherlands have the best chance at survival and well-being, while children in Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Niger, and Mali face the worst odds.
