Osun Records Highest Number Of Out-Of-School Children

 

• Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo Lead In Infant Mortality Rate

Ismaeel Uthman

A 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MIC-6) has rated Osun as the state with highest number of out-of-school children in South West, Nigeria.

The MICS-6 is a National Bureau of Statistics data supported by the United Nations Children and Educational Fund (UNICEF). 

According to the UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Muhammad Okorie, 14.88 per cent of male and 11.5 percent of female children in Osun were out of school in the state.

This is just as Ekiti state recorded the highest percentage of child marriage in the region.

This was disclosed yesterday at a two-day media dialogue organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State Directorate, in conjunction with UNICEF.

The programme was tagged: “A 2 Day Media Dialogue On 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-6) for Journalists in Southwest Zone.”

Speaking at the event, Okorie said that Ekiti has the highest rate of early child marriage in South-West with one out of 10 girls getting married before the age of 15.

He said the data also ranked Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo high on infant mortality rate, adding that Ondo State degenerated to 35 per cent within their 1st to 5th birthday.

According to the survey, between three and four children out of 10 die within one month of delivery in Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo states.

Speaking on overview of MICS-6 implications across South-West region, the UNICEF M4R Specialist, Mr. Oluwasola Olanipekun, affirmed that 21% of children in the region were delivered outside health facilities which he said contributed to child mortality.

Olanipekun added that Ondo State has the highest child mortality in the region, recording 35 per cent of death between first and fifth birthday and higher by 12 per cent than the South-West average.

He also rated Ekiti State high on early child marriage, revealing that one out of 10 girls get married before age 15 while three out of 10 boys got married before 18 years.

UNICEF health practitioner, Dr. Ijioma Agbo, advised the affected states to comply with the global requirement of one primary healthcare facility per ward and make them functional.

She also called for improved awareness on the need for expectant mothers to patronise health care facilities rather than faith-based clinics which is a major factor responsible for the high mortality rate.

Agbo explained that though, Lagos State has the lowest rate of child mortality, there is the need for its government to also do more considering the population.

She urged government at all levels to leverage on the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-6) to catalyse national development in all facets, especially as they relate to women and children.

“There is an urgent need for governments of Ekiti, Ogun and Oyo to begin to adopt all necessary strategies to strengthen their health systems towards reducing the high rate of infant and child mortality in the states”, she said.