A traditional ruler in Bauchi State, Baba Mohammed, says, sanctions and orders, not just directives, should be introduced to compel parents through UNICEF’s Fathers for Good Health, and Mama2Mama initiatives to achieve results in immunisation, sanitation, hygiene, and the fight against child malnutrition.
The District Head of Ganjuwa, Madakin Bauchi, Baba Mohammed, said this when the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, visited his palace, during a one-day working visit to Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
The visit marks the first official tour of the new UNICEF Country Representative to Bauchi State, and indeed to Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
The District Head warmly received the UNICEF team, commending their efforts in improving children’s health.
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He explained that despite cultural and religious challenges, the initiatives, Mama2Mama and Fathers for Good Health, have recorded remarkable progress, with Ganjuwa Local Government recently declared, Open Defecation Free.
Wafaa Saeed and her team, later held face-to-face interactions with community leaders, volunteers, and members of the initiatives, who have been driving awareness campaigns.
According to them, they recorded a success rate of 70–80 per cent in key intervention areas.
Impressed by the outcomes, Wafaa Saeed reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind, whether in education, immunisation, sanitation, or protection from violence.
According to UNICEF, although Bauchi State still struggles with malnutrition and high numbers of “zero-dose” children in about 13 Local Government Areas, the recent commitment of both state and local governments to contribute funds, offers hope in tackling the challenges.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
