BY: AISHA AHMAD, DUTSE AND UMAR IDRIS SHU’AIBU, KANO
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has vowed to strengthen its support, to improve the rate of Breastfeeding amongst lactating women in Jigawa, for the benefit of Children’s health.
Dr Abigail Nyam, Nutrition Officer, UNICEF Kano Field Office, made this known at the launch of The World Breastfeeding Week in Dutse, Jigawa state capital in Thursday.
Dr Nyam explained that although there are myths surrounding exclusive breastfeeding, mothers should listen to experts and those who have experienced exclusive breastfeeding.
READ ALSO: UNICEF Provide Lifesaving Assistance to over 14,000 Malnourished Children in Borno
She said that in Nigeria, breastfeeding is crucial for survival, health and well being of infants and young children.
Breastfeeding she said, provides essential nutrients and protection against illnesses, which are vital for child development.
According to her, “The 2024 focus of the week is on reducing inequalities that hinder access to breastfeeding support. Vulnerable mothers require additional assistance to ensure their children are well breastfed.
“By improving breastfeeding support in Nigeria, we address the social inequalities that stand on the way of sustainable development and public health. ”
Breastfeeding Nyam said, acts as an equaliser in the society, offering every Nigerian child the start in life, regardless of socio-economic status.
The UNICEF representative commended the Jigawa State Government especially the first lady, for their untiring support to UNICEF.
In his remarks, the Jigawa state Commissioner for health, Dr Abdullahi Kainuwa, quoted Quranic verses that order women to exclusively breastfeeding their babies.
He stressed that the act is important to protect children against child diseases and provides effective well being for the babies.
Also, the Jigawa state Commissioner for local government, Mr Ahmad Garba, announced the donation of motherhood kits and cash token to about 500 lactating mothers.
He said that the Ministry supports the Ministry of health and the state Primary Healthcare Agency, to ensure safe motherhood.
Her Excellency, Jigawa state First lady, Mrs Hadiza Umar Namadi, pledged continous support to the cause id mothers and children in Jigawa state.
Represented by the Commissioner women Affairs, Mrs Hadiza Abdulwahab, Mrs Namadi advocated for exclusive breastfeeding for the babies for the first six months.
The 2024 theme for the World Breastfeeding Week is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Kano Governor Declares 24-Hour Curfew Over Violent, Looting Protest
World Breastfeeding Week commemoration started in 1992, with an aim to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding.
The week has a dual goal of improving the health of babies and promoting, protecting and supporting the rights of women to breastfeeding anywhere and at anytime.
In another development, in an effort to address child wellbeing, Universal Child Benefits (UCB), in essence, tries to reduce poverty rates through various social protection interventions.
This is considering the dynamic socio-economic issues that people are suffering with.
This initiative aims to fill a wide gap in the nation’s social protection projects that lacks a universal transfer scheme specifically targeting households with children.
READ ALSO: UNICEF Engages Stakeholders in Addressing Child Poverty, As 47.6% Deprived
The UNICEF Social Policy Specialist Kano Field Office, Fatimah Musa, stated this in her presentation on child poverty and the required benefits any child needs to fully gets to attain their full potential held in Kaduna.
During a 2-Day Workshop on Child Poverty and Vulnerability with stakeholders from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, Fatimah said when fully piloted, UCBs will assist parents and other caregivers in addressing vulnerabilities facing their children.
Fatimah Musa further said children in Nigeria face vulnerabilities that need tailored social protection approaches.
“That is why the introduction of Universal Child Benefits lay the groundwork for policies that benefit children”.
“Kano State, with an estimated population of over 15 million, more than 50% of children below 15 years belong to poor households, living below 374 Naira per day, of which 69.2% are multi-dimensionally poor.
Social Policy Specialist quoted the Nigerian States by Human Development Index (HDI), which Kano rated 0.3592 below the national value of 0.5114 and 31 out of 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“UCBs will work as an instrument to measure and accelerate human development in the state.
“Under this policy, small cash grants will be introduced to targeted beneficiaries, that’s children from 0 to 17 years of age, just to cover the cost of bringing up children to ensure they access all the things they need to have a good start in life. The universal cash transfer for all children is unconditional and paid regularly.
The benefits are targeted at reaching households with children, especially those with disabilities or the poorest children.
That is to say, for families to qualify for the Universal Child Benefits assistance, they are in the category of not having enough means of livelihood to support themselves, Fatimah Musa.
READ ALSO: Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi Children Under 5 Are Multi- Dimentionally Poor — UNICEF Survey
In his concluding remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor, Sai’du Ibrahim Danja urged the stakeholders from Kano, Katsina and Jigawa State to fully help in addressing child poverty.
Danja said when the policies introduced by UNICEF are fully piloted, it will play a significant role in promoting social protection programmes.