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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.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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