Atiku on Children’s Day, bemoans scourge of out-of-school children

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has harped on the need to ensure a better future for the children.

Atiku specifically called on parents, guardians and all stakeholders in the project of ensuring a better future for the children to work in synergy and come up with specific policy frameworks that will guarantee a fairer future for the children.

The former Vice President said in a press release by his media office on the occasion of the children day globally.

According to him, “the celebration of Children today is to give an opportunity for today’s leaders to build a brighter future for the society.”

Atiku remarked that while May 27 every year has been earmarked for the celebration of children, “our world is still troubled with existential threats mitigating the possibility of a promising future for our children.”

The former Vice President, who congratulated children across the globe and in Nigeria especially over the celebration of Children Day this year, said, “our world is still troubled with existential threats mitigating the possibility of a promising future for our children.”

Continuing , he said, “in Nigeria, for instance, we continue to grapple with the problem of out of school children and children being forced into child labour or, even, crime.

“Sadly, not much has gone into establishing a system of protection for children against these dangerous tendencies.

“Either at the governmental or civil society levels, our failures to build the wall that will shield our children from negative influences that can affect their future remains inexcusable,” the former Vice President noted.

Buhari hails Gov. Aminu Bello Masari on 73rd birthday

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm felicitations to Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State on his 73rd birthday, May 29, 2023, rejoicing with the astute political leader who takes a bow out of office, after historic two-terms of transformations.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said President Buhari thanked the Governor for the support and loyalty enjoyed in the last eight years, stretching his network of political friends, within and outside the country, to provide a functional platform for the administration, and ensuring warm reception for the President and his team during visits to the state, especially in first quarter of 2023.

The President nnoted the remarkable achievements of Gov. Masari in the state in spite of the security challenges, completely changing the face of the city with roads and flyovers that have eased traffic, and upgrading many economic paths to tarred roads, while being mindful of the needs of the three senatorial zones, with priority on security, health and education, the statement said.

It added that President Buhari appreciated the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, whose legacy at the legislature remains indelible, exploring dialogue to deepen democracy and strengthen the unity of lawmakers, from 2003 to 2007 and using his vast experience in public service to encourage grassroots inclusion in shaping policies, and sense ownership for development.

As the stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport hands over on Monday, the President believed his knowledge, wisdom and maturity will be an asset to the incoming administration and the new set of political leaders, as he has provided visionary leadership at state and national levels, and understands peculiarities of the legislature and executive, according to the statement. President Buhari prayed for good health and strength for Governor Masari and his family, and more fruitful years of service to the nation, it noted.

Malnutrition: Group disseminates 2 books on complementary feeding

The Kaduna Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) on Thursday disseminated a recipe handbook in English and Hausa on complementary food to promote optimal feeding of children above six months of age.

The English version is entitled, “Production and Preparation of Complementary Food: A guide and Instructional Material for Healthcare Professionals, Caregivers, and the General Public in Kaduna state.

The Hausa version is titled, “Hanyoyin Sarafawa Da Hada Nau ‘o’ in Abinci Masu Kara Lafiya Don Baiwa Jarirai Daga Wata Shida Na Haihuwa.”

Chairperson of KADENAP, Hajiya Ummi El-Rufai, wife of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, said at the presentation and dissemination event in Kaduna, that the books would go a long way in preventing child malnutrition.

Ummi, who was represented by the Mr Awwal Aziri, Project Manager, Impact Project, said that the handbook would serve as a guide especially to healthcare providers, caregivers, and mothers of malnourished children.

She added that the book was produced in English and Hausa with pictorial illustrations to reach wider audience with information on complementary food and how to prepare them for children from six month.

“As we know, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) is a preventive approach which targets the nutrition of the child from conception to the child’s second birthday.

“This handbook is a complementary food guide and IYCF material that will help caregivers and mothers of malnourished children when feeding their children after completing the six month’s exclusive breastfeeding periods.

“I sincerely hope that this handbook will not be kept in our shelves, but will be used as an effective tool for sensitization, PHC food demonstration corners and the message will be spread to all nooks and crannies of Kaduna state and beyond, until malnutrition becomes a thing of the past,” she said. She commended the LAFIYA Project that has supported the validation, production, and dissemination of the nutrition handbook.

She called on all stakeholders and development Partners, Civil Society groups, traditions, religious institutions, and the media to join hands to give the book the widest coverage it deserves.

Mr Umar Bambale, Project Manager, KADENAP, said that the books develop with the help of nutritionists from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Kaduna Polytechnic, was conceived by Ummi El-Rufai, in 2017.