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UNICEF’s IYCF Initiative Boosts Child Nutrition In Plateau
Residents of Plateau State have said that the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) initiative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is boosting nutrition in children in the state.
Some of the residents spoke with newsmen last Wednesday in Jos in separate interviews.
This happened 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.
The Tide source 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.
Mrs Hafsat Abdullahi, a lactating mother, 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.
Mr Salisu Nahuta, the Director of Primary Health Care of the board and leader of the team in Jos North, 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.
NAN reports that other teams from the board and UNICEF visited Kumbo and Panwasa in Mangu and Shendam Local Government Areas for assessment.
The Rivers State Government has vowed to enforce strict compliance with approved building plans by property owners and developers in the State to guarantee safety and adherence to regulatory standards.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, in his inaugural meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Directors and staff of the Ministry, said he would ensure full implementation of the Physical Planning Development Law of the State.
He warned that the Rivers State Government will no longer condone a situation where developers make deliberate adjustment or completely deviate from approved building plan in the execution of their projects without recourse to the Ministry.
Hon. Bipi solicited the cooperation of the civil servants of the Ministry while promising to run an open door policy and be easily accessible.
He also promised to right the wrongs, make a positive impact and leave an enduring legacy in the Ministry.
He promised to enhance the physical landscape and aesthetic of Old and New GRA as well as other parts of Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Surv. Wisdom Hebron, assured the Commissioner of maximum cooperation to foster a harmonious working environment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the payment of N85,000.00 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the employ of the Rivers State Government.
This is the agreement reached during a closed door meeting presided over by the Governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the State at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, who spoke on behalf of the Government, affirmed that Governor Fubara has graciously approved a new minimum wage of N85,000.00, adding that the government will begin in November, 2024.
Dr George said, “He (Gov Fubara) has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000.00, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally.
“So, as the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labour family, I am very happy to say that the Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.
“The labour union leaders and all the other major stakeholders were happy with this development,” he added.
Responding to possible payment of arrears, Dr Nwaeke, said it is yet to be determined because a technical committee has been set up to critically work out a tenable payment chart, which will cater to issues of arrears.
He clarified, “Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee that I am going to be Deputy to the SSG. We are already going to work on it in a technical committee that will now get the nitty gritty of the payment and inform the press later.”
On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Emecheta Chuku, explained that this is their first meeting with Governor Fubara to discuss the issue of the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Comrade Chuku pointed to the fact that the gracious approval of N85,000.00 new minimum wage is very appeasing to the labour leaders, adding that it demonstrates love for the workers.
He explained, “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, against all the things that he is facing and more, to say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.
“Of course, we have no doubt, knowing the kind of person we have as our Governor. He is a decent man; very responsible enough; and grew through the rank and file of the system. He understands what it takes to earn a living salary; he understands the difference between gifting money and paying somebody salary that can sustain him or her from the first day to the last day of the month.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, noted that the amount approved by Governor Fubara puts Rivers State Government ahead of Lagos State as the highest minimum wage paying State to civil servants in Nigeria.
He stressed, “Why do I say that? Lagos State said N85,000.00 and Rivers State is paying N85,000.00. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate with Lagos, that means we are at the top of it.
“We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor. We assure him that, as far as this State is concerned, labour is going to stand with him. We will be with him even until the next eight years.
“I want to commend His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, our own Number One Worker in Rivers State, he has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria. He, again, has shown that to us today, and I want to commend him.”
He added that they were returning to the State Secretariat Complex to inform workers of the Governor’s magnanimity and benevolence towards civil servants in the State.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has felicitated Muslim faithful as they celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, urging them to show love, tolerance, perseverance, patriotism and commitment to the growth and development of the State.
Governor Fubara, in a message in Port Harcourt, the State capital, urged the Muslim Ummah to use the lessons of the 12th day of the third month of Rabi’ al-Awwal to reflect on the core teachings of the Holy Prophet, and interceed for one another as exemplified by the sacrifices He made for humanity.
The Governor charged the faithful in the State and across the country to commit to ensuring that they continue to benefit from the genuine policies and programmes of government put in place to make live easy for all living and doing business in the State, without discrimination.
He said, “I, on behalf of the government and good people of Rivers State, heartily felicitate all Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Maulud celebration, to honour the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and urge for prayers for the revival and unity of Nigeria.
“The occasion, yet again, provides an opportunity to reflect deeply on the need for greater application of the Prophet’s teachings bordering on piety, charity, patience, resilience, justice and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Governor Fubara assured the Muslim community in Rivers State, and indeed, all residents of the resolve of his administration to sustain the tempo of providing critical projects and social services to improve the quality of life of the people.