News
How UNICEF’s IYCF initiative boosts child nutrition in Plateau State
Residents of Plateau State has said the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) initiative of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is boosting nutrition in children in the state.
Some of the residents stated this during a separate interviews with CAPITAL POST in Jos when a combined team from the State’s Primary Health Care Board and UNICEF visited some communities in Ali Kazaure Ward of Jos North Local Government Area of the state where the programme is currently being implemented.
The team was in the area to assess the level of progress so far achieved in terms of child nutrition in the state through the programme.
CAPITAL POST reports that the Bauchi Field Office of UNICEF had in September 2020, inaugurated the IYCF support groups in Jos North, Mangu and Shendam Local Government Areas of the state.
The support group, drawn from various communities within the localities would champion and deliver key IYCF messages to nursing mothers and caregivers, on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding.
The initiative basically aimed at addressing malnutrition, particularly stunting in children which is prevalent in the state.
A lactating mother, Mrs Hafsat Abdullahi, said that the sensitisation she got from the members of the IYCF support group had helped her understand the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding on the health of her child.
Abdullahi, 30, added that the knowledge had also broaden her understanding on the value of complementary feeding to the child.
“This initiative no doubt has helped nursing mothers understand the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the child.
“It has also enabled us understand the advantages of proper complimentary feeding for children who are two years old and above.
“Now, we have understood how to use local and affordable foods to prepare meals that will improve the nutrition of our children,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs Nainatu Ibrahim, said that the initiative had provided her with the opportunity to cater for the health needs for her children without attending health facilities.
Ibrahim, 32, explained that she had seen significant improvement in the nutrition and changes in the health of her kids since when she started practicing what she was taught by the IYCF support group.
“Not too long after I started putting into practice the lessons from the teachings of IYCF support group, I have seen improvement in health of my children; they now hardly fall ill and they appear agile and lively at all times.
“So, I want to call on other mothers to key into this initiative; they should use local and available foods to prepare meals for their children in order to kick malnutrition and other child related diseases out of the society.
“That way, we shall ensure a better and healthy society for the future generation, “she said.
On his part, Mr Ahmad Abdallahi, secretary of the support group in the area, commended the UNICEF for the initiative and thanked other members of the group who volunteered to work towards a better society.
He, however, said that the advent of COVID-19 posed a serious challenge towards the effective discharge of their duties, particularly with the lockdown, social distancing and other safety protocols put in place by government.
“At first, people didn’t believe us, but with frantic efforts we were able to convince them to accept the good message of IYCF.
“We are making great progress, we know that IYCF initiative will be of great benefit to our community because through it, the health of our people will improve.
“Today, through our sensitisation, most women in our communities know more about exclusive breastfeeding, how to place the child when breastfeeding and other practices,” he said.
Abdullahi, however, decried lack of funds, describing it as a major bane limiting the smooth running of the programme in the state.
The Director of Primary Health Care of the board and leader of the team in Jos North, Mr Salisu Nahuta, said they were at the community to assess progress so far achieved under the programme.
He said that the results achieved would spur other communities to adopt the initiative towards ensuring malnutrition was kicked out of the state.
“From what we have heard from the residents of these communities that make up this ward, it is evident that malnutrition will soon be a thing of the past in this state.
“The testimonies from the women we interviewed, it is clear that this noble initiative is worthwhile and I call on government to expand it to other parts of the state,” he called.
He commended members of the support group in Jos North for their commitment, resilience and dedication towards the actualisation of the aim of the programme.
CAPITAL POST reports that other teams from the board and UNICEF visited Kumbo and Panwasa in Mangu and Shendam Local Government Areas for assessment.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed joy over the pace of work at the construction site of the first flyover bridge in Edo State, located at Ramat Park, in Benin City.
The project expected to be completed in 18 months is being executed by the administration of Governor Okpebholo. The project was flagged off in November, 2024, barely one week after Okpebholo assumed office as Governor of Edo State.
The contractor handling the project, Mr. Andy Duan of CCECC told Governor Okpebholo during an unscheduled visit to the site that 20 percent of the project had been done so far.
Duan noted that the construction, which started last year, has reached 20 percent of stage of completion, assuring the people that the company will work according to specifications.
“For this work which commenced in December 2024, we have done seven pillars, underground cross beams and other works are ongoing as we are doing our best to meet up with the construction period,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo, on his part, said he is not sleeping, as he continues to monitor projects cross the State to ensure the jobs are done according to agreed specifications.
The Governor threatened to revoke contracts whose handlers were not working according to specifications and assured Edo people that under his administration, Edo people would benefit from quality infrastructural development.
“We are not sleeping. We go around the State to monitor all our ongoing projects to ensure quality job delivery. Also, to ensure contractors meet specifications.
“For the Ramat Park flyover, the contractor is doing well, and I am impressed with the speed of the job done so far. If they continue with this kind of speed and pace, I believe they will complete the construction at the stipulated time. The materials like the iron being used and other materials are of high quality and standard.
“Inspecting projects across the State is a way for us to know those who are working and those playing with the projects they were given.
“We have gone to some sites, and we are not happy with what we met as some of these contractors are not meeting our targets and not doing the jobs according to specifications. Such contracts will be revoked.
“As an administration, we want to leave a legacy for our people, and we must ensure that we fulfill all our promises made to Edo people. We will continue to inspect and monitor every project to put contractors on their toes to deliver quality jobs according to specifications for the benefit of Edo people.
“I am not happy with the job of one of the contractors working for us and we will invite him on Monday for a discussion and you may hear bad news because the way they are going is not the way a contract should be executed,” he added.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, John Obanor, who accompanied the Governor on the inspection of the flyover, said the project is on track.
He noted that the job is not being appreciated now by people because it is in its early stage, but sooner than later, as the work progresses, it will be appreciated better. He noted that the company handling the project is doing a good job.
Other road projects inspected by Governor Okpebholo included Uteh Temboga road, open drainage at upper Ekenhua road opposite Nigerian Army cantonment Benin City, Upper Ekenhua road and Catholic Charismatic Renewal road Ugbiyoko.
Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh has denied his involvement with 42 other Senators who received $10,000 each to support President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers, saying he was absent from Wednesday’s meeting where the money was allegedly shared.
He reacted to viral allegation that Senators received $10,000 each to support the state of emergency in Rivers in the red Chamber, when the motion comes for ratification.
His denial was contained in a statement on Friday, where he distanced himself from Senators who shared the money, insisting that he was not among the 42 senators who collected $10,000 the previous day in order to pass the state of emergency resolution.
According to him, he came out to clear his name because reports in the media suggested that he was the one that coordinated the meeting along another Senator where each of them was offered $10,000, insisting that he wasn’t in that meeting and never benefitted from the bribe for support.
“I did not receive any money to support the state of emergency in Rivers State. I was not at any meeting where such payments were allegedly made,” Umeh stated.
Umeh explained that on the evening of Tuesday, he attended the traditional IFTAR (Breaking of Fasting) gathering at the Senate Guest House with their Muslim brothers and sisters, where he was asked to say the Christian prayers after Senator Adamu Aliero said the Muslim prayers after the IFTAR.
”I prayed for God to grant peace to all parts of Nigeria and reconciliation to all the warring parties in Rivers State.
“I prayed for love and for all Nigerians to embrace one another, for the good of our nation.”
“We did not discuss the State of Emergency in Rivers State at the IFTAR.”
“There were other Labour Party Senators at the IFTAR.”
Dismissing the allegations as backmail, the senator, assured his constituents that such reports would not distract him from providing good Representation, adding that the aim of the detractors was to create disaffection between him and the people and impugn his reputation.
He vowed that “I will not be distracted by their false reports, and I will continue to serve my constituents with dignity and integrity.”
Twelve persons have been arrested by officers of Kaduna State Police Command in connection with attack on a mosque which killed a worshipper during the Tahajjud prayer at Rigasa, in the Igabi Local Government Area of the State.
In a statement by the Command on Friday by the Spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday, said hoodlums’ attack on the mosque led to the death of a worshipper.
The statement noted that, “On 21st March 2025, at about 0200 hours, the police received a distress call from a m
concerned citizen, reporting that a large group of armed hoodlums had mobilised from Malalin Gabas, Tudun Wada, Rafin Guza, and Unguwar Baduko areas to attack worshippers performing Tahajjud prayer at Layin Bilya, Makwa Road, Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of officers, accompanied by the Commander of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), to the scene in an attempt to apprehend the suspects.
“However, before their arrival, the assailants had already stabbed one Usman Mohammad, a 23-year-old victim, with a sharp knife. Despite being rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries hours later and was confirmed dead by the attending doctor.”
In response, the police swiftly apprehended twelve suspects who confessed to having participated in the attack and recovered several weapons from them.
A full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the full details of the incident and ensure justice is served.
rom engaging in these criminal activities, stating that they will face the full weight of the law if caught.
-
News5 days agoBill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate
-
Security1 week agoNigerian Coast Guard: Citizens warned against extortion as passage of bill is being awaited
-
Politics1 week agoRetired military officer, colonel Gbenga Adegbola, joins APC with 13,000 supporters
-
Politics1 week agoCPDPL accuses Adeyanju of orchestrating smear campaign against FCT Minister Wike
-
News5 days agoReport of attack on Wike’s Port Harcourt residence false, misleading – Police
-
News5 days agoShehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence
-
News4 days agoPlateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm
-
Sports6 days agoMerino gives Arsenal win over Chelsea