Babalola Oluwatomiwa
Social Member
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, UNICEF has launched a free SMS-based communication in its quest to developing the Ngerian community.
"U-report" is a new free SMS-based communications technology developed by UNICEF Nigeria to engaging Nigerians towards establishing and enforcing accountability in governance through health, education, environment and other areas of community endeavour.
It will also allow government officials know that some areas are not benefitingdividends of democracy by not actualising the millenium development goals and other areas of community endeavour through social mobilisation.
A UNICEF consultant to Nigeria, Caroline Barabwoha, explained that the initiative is highly “promising” in Nigeria due to the large population of the country.
Caroline, who was a part of the same progam in Uganda for about three years also said that the motive behind this program was for community engagement and participation in issues that affect them for development to take place.
“Right now the trend is very promising for Nigeria, judging from the experience of other countries in Africa, many of which have taken over one year to get up to 3,000 volunteer U-reporters.
“In Nigeria, in just a matter of five weeks over 5,000 volunteers have been engaged. Currently there are over 12,000 U-reporters in the country. The goal is to have up to five million reporters in the country by the end of the year,” she stated.
Caroline explained that the goal of this project in Nigeria is to have a large number on board so that their voices can be so loud enough for the government officials. To do their biddings in their respective communities, adding that people can send "join to 24453" to become a U-reporter.
It will also allow government officials know that some areas are not benefitingdividends of democracy by not actualising the millenium development goals and other areas of community endeavour through social mobilisation.
A UNICEF consultant to Nigeria, Caroline Barabwoha, explained that the initiative is highly “promising” in Nigeria due to the large population of the country.
Caroline, who was a part of the same progam in Uganda for about three years also said that the motive behind this program was for community engagement and participation in issues that affect them for development to take place.
“Right now the trend is very promising for Nigeria, judging from the experience of other countries in Africa, many of which have taken over one year to get up to 3,000 volunteer U-reporters.
“In Nigeria, in just a matter of five weeks over 5,000 volunteers have been engaged. Currently there are over 12,000 U-reporters in the country. The goal is to have up to five million reporters in the country by the end of the year,” she stated.
Caroline explained that the goal of this project in Nigeria is to have a large number on board so that their voices can be so loud enough for the government officials. To do their biddings in their respective communities, adding that people can send "join to 24453" to become a U-reporter.
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