UNICEF did a great disservice to the Nigerian child this year by focusing its State of the Child Report on “urban children” with the Kuramo (Bar) Beach in Lagos as setting of its story on deprivations Nigerian children face.

The choice of location and daily earning of about N500 by the subject do not reflect the harsh realities of Nigeria’s poor less so those of children who are the unfortunate beneficiaries of governments that plan Nigeria’s future without the children. If Nigerian children earned N500 daily, they would not be in the extreme poverty group with its consequences.

On 27 May, children will commemorate their day. Governments will make the same flowery speeches about the importance of children and their future leadership. Nothing has been done since last year beyond tokens like renovation of some schools, photo opportunities during immunisation, and speeches fit for different children-related occasions.

Statistics on the Nigerian child remain depressing. Our children are at higher risk of dying in the first five years of their lives, than most other African children, including those in Sudan that has been at war for more than three decades. These United Nations statistics are not getting better. Out of every 1,000 live births in Nigeria, 110 die before they are five years old. Comparative figures are Egypt (29 deaths in 1,000 live births), South Africa (45) and war blistered Sudan (65).

Where our children survive, malaria, cholera, polio and malnutrition ensure they do not improve on the average life expectancy of 48 years. Professor Oladimeji Oladepo of the University of Ibadan, reported two years ago that 41 per cent of Nigerian children are stunted and about 25 per cent are underweight. Malnourished children with poor mental and physical development will lead Nigeria.

As if these were not enough, the poor maternal statistics tell another story of unfailing negligence of the future.

Save the Children notes that in sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 per cent of women are “extremely thin”, possibly too unhealthy to breastfeed their children.

There is vicious cycle of maternal and child malnutrition. Susan Grant, its Nigeria Country Director said: “The 2012 State of the World’s Mothers shows clearly that this crisis of chronic malnutrition has devastating effects on both mothers and their children. We urgently need global leadership on malnutrition that results in key nutrition projects being rolled out for mothers and babies to ensure their health and survival.”

The Nigeria child is a haphazard product. Deprivation dominates its life. A profound appreciation of these is required for programmes that will create a future for our children. They will not work if governments neglect initiatives to save the Nigerian adult.