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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 Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as baseless and diversionary, widespread rumours about his collapse and being rushed abroad for treatment.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, following a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in May to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office, Barrister Wike categorically denied the claims, saying that they were untrue.
He attributed the spread of these rumours to political machinations, specifically pointing to those he alleged, sought to divert attention from serious allegations of planned attacks on national assets, including the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as revealed by a former Head of Service of Rivers State government.
He said, “What happened was that the former Head of Service of Rivers State government came out to let the public know what was going on about a plan to bomb the House of Assembly complex and attack national assets. To divert the attention of people from focusing on that, they had to bring up rumours that I had been flown overseas. There was never a time I collapsed, there was never a time anybody took me overseas”.
The Minister said he was focused on his job of providing good governance in the FCT and would not be distracted by such unfounded rumours.
Barr. Wike emphasized his continued public engagements, citing his presence at the President’s Iftar engagement and his leading of Abuja residents during the Sallah homage to the President as evidence of his robust health. “You see me every day. The day Mr. President broke Iftar during his birthday, I was there. The next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage. I see so many stories online, this is politics. Those things don’t bother us. We are not distracted. We are focused on our jobs.”
He thanked Nigerians for their concern but cautioned against wishing ill health on others, reiterating that only God determines the time of one’s passing. “I thank Nigerians for showing concern, but people should not wish their fellow human beings such a thing to happen. We know that we will die one day, nobody will remain in this world forever, but it’s only God who determines the day you will die. No human being can say you will die today or tomorrow. So, don’t bother yourself, I’m very agile and I can assure you that I will write the condolence letters for those peddling these rumours.”
Speaking on the infrastructure projects he inspected, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the International Conference Centre (ICC) renovation, the Arterial road N16 in Gishiri and its interchange connecting Maitama District to Katampe, and the Judges Quarters and its access roads in Katampe District.
He said, “We were at the International Conference Centre where much work has been done. They are keeping to the time that they have given and they are also doing a good quality job. We’ve gone to Gishiri and the roads leading to the Justices Quarters. I’m very much impressed with the good jobs and the contractors handling these projects. You can attest to the fact that this is a quality job being carried out”.
He commended the contractors, including Julius Berger and CGC, for their commitment to delivering the projects on schedule and assured that funding, with the support of President Tinubu, was not a challenge.
He encouraged taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, promising that they will witness the tangible results of their contributions. “All we will say is that those who are supposed to pay their taxes should pay their taxes, and ask us what we are doing with taxpayers’ money. They can see what we are doing with taxpayers’ money.”
The Supreme Court has sacked Julius Abure as National Chairman of the Labour Party in a ruling that was delivered on Friday in Abuja.
The judgment has put paid to a prolonged legal battle of the party. In a unanimous judgment, In a delivered by a five-member panel, held that the Court of Appeal had overstepped its jurisdiction when it declared Abure as the party’s leader.
The Supreme Court ruled that the issue of party leadership is an internal affair beyond the jurisdiction of the courts, thereby overturning the lower court’s ruling. This decision has significant implications for the Labour Party, which has been embroiled in leadership tussles in recent months.
The judgment came after an appeal filed by Senator Nenadi Usman and another appellant, challenging Abure’s claim to the chairmanship. The court found their appeal meritorious and accordingly upheld it, solidifying the legal stance that party leadership disputes should be settled within party structures rather than through litigation.
In a further blow to Abure’s camp, the Supreme Court dismissed a cross-appeal filed by his faction of the Labour Party, describing it as lacking merit.
With this ruling, the legal battles surrounding the leadership of the Labour Party may have reached their final chapter, barring any internal resolutions or new legal maneuvers by the affected parties.
The verdict has sparked reactions from political analysts and party stakeholders, with some expressing concerns over the stability of the Labour Party ahead of the next electoral cycle. The party, which emerged as a formidable force in the 2023 general elections, now faces the challenge of reorganizing its leadership and uniting its members.
While the ruling may settle the legal aspect of the dispute, the political ramifications are far from over.
Party members and loyalists of Abure may seek internal resolutions or political realignments to navigate the fallout of this decision. The Labour Party’s next steps will be crucial in determining its future strength and cohesion on the national stage.
As of press time, Abure’s camp has not issued an official statement on the ruling, while other factions within the party have welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for internal democracy.
In a landmark ruling today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a judgment that has been hailed as a significant victory not only for the Labour Party (LP) but also for Nigeria’s democracy. The ruling, which saw the removal of Mr. Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, is widely regarded as a triumph of democracy, the rule of law, and the resilience of Nigeria’s judicial system.
The statement celebrating the historic judgment was issued by the Labour Party National Caretaker Committee Secretary, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha who was present at the Supreme Court in Abuja during the judgment. The Secretary expressed immense gratitude to the Justices of the Supreme Court for their fair and forthright decision, which was described as a beacon of hope for the country’s democracy.
“This ruling is a monumental victory for the Labour Party and, more importantly, for the future of Nigeria’s democracy,” said the Secretary. “It demonstrates that the Judiciary remains the last hope for the common man, ensuring that justice and the rule of law prevail in the face of challenges.”
The Labour Party National Caretaker Committee (LP NCC) emphasized that the judgment is a clear indication that despite the struggles Nigeria faces, the nation’s democracy is resilient, and the judicial system remains a pillar of strength. It is also seen as a crucial step towards unifying the party and fostering an environment conducive to political reform and nation-building.
“This historic ruling is not only a victory for the Labour Party, but also for the Nigerian people and our democracy. It affirms that the rule of law will always be upheld,” the statement continued. “We now have an opportunity to rebuild Nigeria’s democracy and strengthen our party, which remains the political party of choice for millions of Nigerians.”
The Labour Party extended a call to all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, to unite with the party in its efforts to restore and rebuild the nation’s democracy. “We call on all Nigerians to join hands with the Labour Party in the mission to restore the true values of democracy, justice, and equity in Nigeria,” the statement urged.
The judgment is being seen as a significant milestone not only for the Labour Party but for the entire nation, as it underscores the importance of a free, fair, and independent judiciary in maintaining democratic principles. The ruling have now firmly brought to an end the perennial leadership crisis within the Labour Party, enabling it to focus more effectively on its agenda for a better Nigeria.
The Labour Party also took this moment to express their deep appreciation to their supporters for their unwavering dedication and solidarity. “We thank Nigerians for their resilience, support, and trust in our cause. The Labour Party remains the people’s party, and together, we will continue to fight for a more just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria,” the Secretary concluded.
As the Labour Party moves forward, it is committed to uniting its members and supporters to build a Nigeria free from oppression, where justice and fairness are upheld for all. The Supreme Court’s ruling today serves as a powerful reminder that in Nigeria, the law is supreme, and democracy will always triumph.
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