Barcelona FC star, Lionel Messi is heartbroken by the plight of Syrians and has taken to his social media account to call the world’s attention to the crisis in the Middle East.
The Argentine who has over 88 million fans on Facebook implored the world to call for the end of conflict in the region.
“A war day is too much. The children of Syria have been subjected to violence and cruelty for SIX years in a conflict that holds them hostage. As a father and as a UNICEF’s Ambassador I am heartbroken. Add your voice to UNICEF to demand the end of the war.” He wrote
Jose Mourinho to manage England
Edging nearer to Old Trafford hot-seat?
Former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho will be involved in Soccer Aid; a match which raises money for children’s charity in UNICEF. While he would be manage the England team, Leicester City’s Claudio Ranieri would be in charge of the Rest of the World.
Both of them will be assisted by singer Robbie Williams and Sunderland boss, Sam Allardyce. The match would be played at Old Trafford on June 5.
“I want to be the first one to win the Soccer Aid trophy for both teams. Sam and I will make a very good partnership and it will be a great feeling for Claudio to finally lose a match. “I hope the organisers can help me now with an English passport.’’ The Portuguese said.
“For Soccer Aid’s 10th anniversary, it is a great honour that Robbie Williams has asked me to manage the Rest of the World XI and I’m looking forward to helping them defend their title.’’ Ranieri added.
Lagos State commits to ending violence against children
Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode today at the Federal Palace Hotel Lagos launched a groundbreaking campaign to end violence against children. By doing so, Lagos became the first State in Nigeria to respond to the call of the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for every State to initiate their own campaigns during the national Year of Action to End Violence against Children, which was launched on 15th September 2015. Today’s launch is a collaboration between Lagos state, the US Mission in Nigeria, UNICEF and other development partners. “We have a clear moral, legal and economic imperative to end violence against children” says Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, “We cannot allow the findings or the priority actions to remain on paper”
Millions of children suffer violence every year in Nigeria – approximately 6 out of every 10 children experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before the age of 18 years, according to the Nigeria Violence against Children Survey, carried out by the National Population Commission, with support from UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The survey, which was presented to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais at the Lagos State launch by the Chairman of the National Population Commission Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), found that: one in two children experience physical violence; one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence; and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence. The majority of children do not tell anyone what has happened to them and fewer than five per cent receive the help they need to recover.
“The study is a remarkable example of how research can bring to light the hidden face of violence against children” said Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais. “Making the true extent of violence visible is critical to mobilize public support and generate steady action towards its elimination.”
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| Hon Sanni Eshinlokun – Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly (representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode), Dr. Howard Kress – US Centers for Disease Control, Mrs. Lola Akande – Commissioner Lagos state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Marta Santos Pais – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN) – Chairman National Population Commission, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode – Wife of the Executive Governor of Lagos state. |
At the launch of the campaign, Lagos State announced the Priority Actions to be taken by state and non-state actors in short-term and long-term to effectively prevent and respond to violence against children. These priority responses were developed by a multi sectoral Technical Working Group from the State Ministries for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Education, health, Social Welfare, Justice, Information and the National Orientation Agency, Prison Service, Police, Civil Society, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations.
“While national level commitments are important, how these commitments are translated into action at state, local government area and ward level is critical” says Ms. Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “UNICEF congratulates Lagos on setting an example for the rest of Nigeria. We hope that where Lagos has led the way, other States will follow.”
“We have made progress in this fight but much still remains to be done” added U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, Maria E. Brewer. “All children must be protected from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect. Violence against children is never justified. Violence is preventable”.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org and for UNICEF Nigeria: http://www.unicef.org/nigeria.
Cristiano Ronaldo named the most charitable athlete in the world. See top 20 list
Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged the most charitable professional athlete in the world. The list was published by a site called Look To The Stars which keeps track of celebrity benevolence. There are two footballers in the list, the second is Brazil/Barcelona’s Neymar.
Ronaldo’s charity work has not gone unnoticed. He has a long history with Save The Children charity. He provided aid for Madeira when floods struck the island off Portugal, sponsored children’s surgeries. Others organisations he’s supported include UNICEF, World Vision, to mention a few. His arch rival, Lionel Messi didn’t even make it to the list.
Top 20 Athletes Gone Good list:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. John Cena
3. Serena Williams
4. Yuna Kim
5. Neymar Jr.
6. LeBron James
7. Heather O’Reilly
8. Maria Sharapova
9. Mo’ne Davis
10. Richard Sherman
11. Meryl Davis & Charlie White
12. Dan Carter
13. Roman Reigns
14. Ronda Rousey
15. Lindsey Vonn
16. Tom Daley
17. Bethany Hamilton
18. Saina Nehwal
19. Paul Rabil
20. Shahid Afridi