Traditional rulers have role to play in improving nutrition, child welfare – UNICEF
By Umar Moh’d
It has been observed that traditional leaders in each community have a role to play towards improving nutrition among children.
This observation was made yesterday by the Deputy United Nations Children’s Fund Emergency (UNICEF) Country Representative, Programme, Dr. Rownak Khan, who was at the Palace of the District Head of Toro in Bauchi State while monitoring nutrition activities.
She urged Nigeria’s traditional leaders to be more involved in issues affecting children and nutrition in the community.
She explained that such leaders are in control of their traditional institutions therefore they can play important roles in improving family health and safe motherhood in their respective communities.
She emphasised the need for the traditional institutions to be involved in issues of women and children’s health, considering that they are major components of the society.
Speaking earlier, the District Head, Alhaji Umar Adamu who received the team from the Country Office of UNICEF, 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 because 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.
Umar Adamu 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.
Also speaking, the UNICEF Nutrition Officer, Philomena Irene also commended the traditional ruler for supporting the initiative which has improved the health of women and children.
