Headlines
45% Kano children stunted due to lack of proper breastfeeding techniques — Official
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
No fewer than 45 per cent of under-five-age children in Kano State are said to be stunted due to a lack of proper breastfeeding techniques and observing the right nutrition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Deputy Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Murtala Inuwa, stated this while addressing newsmen at an annual dialogue on giving voice and visibility to Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition on Wednesday in Kano.
The media dialogue was organised in collaboration with the Alive and Thrive Initiative.
A cross section of participants at the event
He stressed the need for Kano State to rise to the challenges of stunting due to undernutrition and lack of proper breastfeeding saying, Kano is a populous state with 810,000 children aged 6–23 months.
“Kano is the most populous state in Nigeria with 810,000 children aged 6–23 months. Stunting affects 46 per cent of under-five children in Kano state.
“Only 30 percent of children 6–23 months in Kano consume food from 5 varieties of foods daily and only 40.5 percent consume a meal at an ideal number of times daily.
A Cross section of the participants at the event
“Only 14.6 percent consume Minimum Acceptable Diet, only 28.7 percent consume meat, 12.3 percent consume dairy and 2 percent consume eggs,” he said.
However, he gave a window of opportunity that will resolve the growing problem, saying that the first 1000 days of life starting from the mother’s pregnancy to the child’s second birthday can be used to prevent undernutrition and its consequences.
“The first 1,000 days of life, from the start of a woman’s pregnancy to a child’s second birthday offer an extraordinary window of opportunity for preventing undernutrition and its consequences. From conception to 2 years represents a ‘critical window of opportunity’ for the promotion of optimal growth, health and development.
A Cross section of the participants at the event
“Actions targeted at this critical period, such as widely accepted and evidence-based interventions, including Exclusive Breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life beginning with Early Initiation, discouraging prelacteal feeds and bottle feeding.
“Appropriate complementary foods from 6 months with continued Breastfeeding for up to 2 years, micronutrient supplementation for women and children to address deficiencies.
“These investments in nutrition, particularly in the earliest years of life, can yield dramatic results for children, their families, and communities.
“Most instances of stunting occur during the first thousand days when complementary feeding plays a major role. Poor Dietary Diversity is a risk factor for stunting among children aged 6 – 23 months.
“Children 6-23 months who consumed fewer food groups were 34% more likely to be stunted compared to those who consumed 5 or more food groups.
“Children who did not consume any animal source foods (ASF) were 44 % more likely to be stunted compared to children who consumed all three types of ASF (egg, meat, and dairy)” he said.
He explained further that maternal and newborn health and nutrition are inextricably connected, adding that Nigeria accounts for over 34 percent of global maternal deaths.
“The risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, or after an abortion for a Nigerian woman is 1 in 22 compared to 1 in 49,000 in developed countries. 95% of these deaths are preventable.
“Nigeria loses about 2,313 children daily, translating to 844,321 under-five children deaths annually, close to half of which are due to malnutrition,” he added.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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