UNICEF seeks more involvement of traditional leader in nutrition, child welfare
Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigeria’s traditional leaders to be more involved in issues affecting children and nutrition in the community.
The Agency’s Deputy Country Representative, Programme, Dr. Rownak Khan, who was at the Palace of Toro District Head, Bauchi State, on Monday to monitor UNICEF activities in nutrition, said that traditional institutions play important roles in improving family health and safe motherhood.
She emphasised the need for the traditional institutions to be involved in issues of women and children’s health, according to her, –the major components of the society.
The District Head, Alh Umar Adamu who received the team from the Country Office of UNICEF, led Khan, commended UNICEF for championing the cause of women and children in the area. He explained that the nutrition initiative has improved the lives of women and their children in Toro.
“Here in Toro LGA, our women have embraced the nutrition initiative, we have healthy children and mothers who are engaging in exclusive breastfeeding of the children.
“We engaged in serious advocacy and sensitisation meetings before we achieved the stage we are now. Without the cooperation of the women, we will not be here. The women have been supportive and cooperative of the initiative,” he said.
The traditional leader stated that open defecation has been tackled thereby making the LGA open defecation free (ODF), while efforts have been intensified to ensure that the status was maintained.
In addition, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office (BFO), Dr. Nuzhat Rafique urged the District Head to advocate to his colleagues the need for the traditional institutions to key into the programme for the promotion of women and children’s health.
Nuzhat Rafique stated that UNICEF is impressed with the implications of the nutrition initiatives in Toro LGA stressing that the area is the Nutrition Champions in the state.
The UNICEF Nutrition Officer, Philomena Irene also commended the traditional ruler for supporting the initiative which has improved the health of women and children.
