Bauchi, Dec. 30, 2022 (NAN) To uphold global best practices and ethics of journalism, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi state council, has trained no fewer than 120 journalists on election matters, conflict reporting and other sectors.
Mr Umar Sa’id, Chairman of the NUJ Bauchi council, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Bauchi.
He said that the various training sessions were conducted for journalists from Broadcast, Print and Online organisations.
“Journalists were trained on conflict, health reporting, and election matters.
“Other activities were on ethical conducts with regards to the profession and electoral reforms,’’ he said.
The chairman said that journalists must perform their responsibilities of disseminating factual accurate information in the interest of the Nigerians, therefore consistency in capacity building and refresher training would not be overemphasised.
Sa’id said that the council plans to train 30 information officers, photographers and camera men in January 2023.
He advised journalists to uphold the virtues of fairness in their reportage to promote peace and unity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Volunteer produces ready-to-eat food for 300 malnourished children in Bauchi
Children
By Amina Ahmed
Bauchi, Dec. 26, 2022 (NAN) Determined to contribute to the growth and development of under-five children in Bauchi through complementary feeding, a Bauchi-based volunteer has produced over 300 containers of ready to use food for malnourished children in Katagum local Government Area (LGA) in Bauchi state.
This gesture was conducted under the initiative of Uwatagari Women Multipurpose, meaning ‘Kind Mother’.
The volunteer, Hajiya Uwani Umar, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Monday that the gesture was to contribute to the well being of children.
Umar said that each beneficiary is to be fed for two weeks as treatment for malnutrition.
According to her, each beneficiary will locally produce food that includes; Wheat, Soy beans, Millet, and Groundnut.
“I prepared the complimentary food, using local grains to support malnourished children.
“I have distributed these in almost five locations, including Primary Health Centers, including Bulkachuwa where I supported 30 children, Magonshi, 45, Madagala, 50, Matsango, 60, Bayan Fada, 60,” she said.
Narrating her ordeal, Umar said that the food was first adopted to feed her adopted babies.
“I adopted two babies from birth, so I had to start feeding them well using local grains.
“The two babies grew healthily and I now decided to support babies and their mothers that are most vulnerable.
“I spend N20,000 out of my pension to do this. I produce my grains myself,” she added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Bauchi, Dec. 22, 2022 (NAN) Some tailors in Bauchi are recording high sales due to improved patronage of the trade occasioned by the festive season.
A cross section of the tailors who spoke in seperate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday at Wunti market in Bauchi, said they were making brisk businesses in the past two weeks.
A tailor, Ibrahim Dogo said he recorded significant number of customers this yuletide, adding that he has been working at night hours to enable him to keep up date with customers
He expressed joy over the appreciable patronage in spite of the economic hardship being experienced by the residents.
Another tailor, Abba Waziri, who specialises in designing traditional attires and children dresses, said he now enjoyed appreciable patronage as against the previous season.
He noted that this year’s celebration come with a unique demand for fashion designing, as most families showed high preference for traditional dresses.
“Some ladies have taste for textile materials for elegance appearance and this explained the high patronage,” he said.
Similarly; a jewelry seller, Babayo Ibrahim said he recorded increase in the sale of jewelry in the past 10 days and made good savings from it.
“There is significant increase in the demand of jewelry this season, customers buy it for gift or perosnal use,” he said.
NAN also reports that sale outlets sprung up at different locations in the metropolis displaying childrens clothing, shoes, Santa Claus acesesories and precious gift items. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Bauchi, Dec.12, 2022 (NAN) The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has trained 324 regulatory agencies and tertiary institutions on upgraded Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) and Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS) platform.
JAMB’s Zonal Director, Mr Danlami Mohammed said the exercise would exposed stakeholders to the upgraded admission process, curriculum, accreditation and general administration matters between JAMB, regulatory agencies and institutions.
According to him, the automated platforms will guide students and also serve as communication platform among stakeholders.
He said the upgraded platform would ease challenges associated with admission processes, logistics and technical as well as enhance documentation.
“In line with the digitization in JAMB activities, the central admission process system, integrated brochure and syllabus system are service platforms aimed at providing quality and efficient services.
“JAMB is committed towards digitization and will continue to improve,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was attended by rectors, registrars, provosts, admission officers and other principal officers of tertiary institutions drawn from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Yobe and Taraba. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)
Bauchi, Dec. 10, 2022 (NAN) The Bauchi State Gonvernment on Saturday says it has sensitised community leaders and critical stakeholders on Violence Against Persons Prohibition ( VAPP) Law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Bala Mohammed on Dec.9, assented to the VAPP Act passed by the State House of Assembly.
The exercise is being organised by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development in collaboration with the UN Women.
It is designed to expose community leaders, media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to VAPP Act, to promote gender equality and social inclusion in the state.
Mrs Easther Patrick, Gender Desk Officer in the ministry, said the exercise would also create awareness on the State Action Plan (SAP) on peace and security as well as mobilise stakeholders towards mainstreaming components of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) at the grassroots.
“The activity is to create awareness on gender equality law to end violence against women and girls using issue based interactions.
“The participants are expected to contribute towards creating enabling environment for implemetation of peace and security,” she said.
In a presentation, Amina Garuba, Executive Director, Ikra Foundation for Youth and Women Development, said the VAPP Act would ensure protection and secure environment for girls and women in the society.
Garuba said the VAPP Act comprises four sections including offence, protection, services providers and interpretation.
She said the Act proscribed death penalty for rape against minors, adding that other punishment included 14-year jail term and life imprisonment for offenders.
“For concealing act of rape, the law provides four-year jail term or a fine of N500,000. It also spelt out compensation for victims of SGBV in the state,” she said.
She called for more awareness creation activities to educate the people on the VAPP Act.
Also, Mrs Asma’u Yahaya, Executive Director, Women with Disability, Intergrity Development Initiave (WDIDI), called for production of audio and braille copies to educate people with special needs on the new law. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
2023: Organisation earmarks 420 PHCs for reproductive health interventions in Bauchi
MNCH coordianators from 20 LGAs of Bauchi State
Health
By Amina Ahmed
Bauchi, Dec. 2, 2022(NAN) Marie Stopes International Organisation in Nigeria (MSION) is set to provide Sexual
Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) in 420 Primary Health Centres (PHC) in hard to reach communities of Bauchi State in 2023.
Mr Mubarak Abubakar, the Social Behavioural Change and Communication Officer of MSION, made this known during its two-day
training on Friday in Bauchi.
He said that the centres would be spread across the 20 local government areas of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by Mission for Family Planning (FP) and Maternal and Child Health (MCH)
coordinators of the 20 local government areas of the state.
Abubakar said “the training is to provide an overview of activities of the organisation in delivering quality SRHS in communities through various channels.
“The training is also to engage MCH and FP coordinators in identification, site selection and outreach scheduling for a period of two months.”
He thanked the Bauchi State Government for providing an enabling working environment to the NGO.
Dr Jibrin Umar, the Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, listed male engagement and
awareness as parameters for increasing uptake of reproductive health services among the public.
In her contribution, Mrs Hajara Yahya, the Bauchi State Family Planning Coordinator, urged participants to list out PHCs that would generate high number of clients.
She thanked MSION for supporting the state government.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
Women group staking for mother, child health through breastfeeding, immunisation uptake in Bauchi
By Amina Ahmed/Rabiu Sani-Ali
According to studies, health outcomes differ in developing countries for mothers and infants who use formula feed compared with those who breastfeed. Lack of optimal breastfeeding is associated with infants morbidity, risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and other health risks. Breastfeeding reduces the risks of premature mortality from diseases, incidence of breast and ovarian cancer, gestational weight gain, type 2 diabetes, among others.
A number of social and cultural barriers to optimal breastfeeding have been identified as poverty, early and single motherhood, poor social and professional support, poor knowledge, myths, misconceptions and unintended pregnancies.
In Bauchi State, a women group with support of development organisation is providing empowerment support and counselling mothers about the health impact of breastfeeding and to ensure that mothers and infants receive appropriate care, starting at birth.
One of such intervention is being Implemented by a non-governmental organisation, Hasken Mata Women Group at Dot community in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Infant and mother health burden
The latest United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report titled “Situation of Women and Children in Nigeria” states that the country records 576 maternal mortality per 100,000 live births, while approximately 262,000 babies die at birth every year.
Infant mortality currently stands at 69 per 1,000 live births, while under-five deaths is 128 per 1,000 live births, with more than 64 per cent of the deaths due to pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea.
Also, 2021 Multiple indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and National Immunisation Coverage (NIC) survey, showed that Bauchi State has higher child mortality rate compared to other states in the North-East region.
The report indicated that the state records 153 deaths in every 1,000 live births.
Breastfeeding promotion campaign in Bauchi
Intervention
The Hasken Mata women group supported by an NGO, Breakthrough Action Nigera (BA-N), formed a cluster of 460 registered members in Dot community.
The BA-N project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting local women groups to mobilise visit to antenatal clinics, promote breastfeeding, immunisation uptake and use of treated nets at the grassroots.
The women agreed to impose a N1,000 fine for members who failed to practice exclusive breastfeeding, attend antenatal clinic and complete immunisation uptake for their children.
The Chairperson of the group, Mrs Khadija Hashim, said the women were working to raise awareness on the importance of antenatal care and immunisation in family health and child survival.
She said the N1,000 fine for immunisation defaulters was meant to complement governments efforts toward eradicating child killer diseases, improve reproductive health and wellbeing of the people.
“The fine is to encourage completion of immunisation uptake; use of treated mosquito nets and exclusive breastfeeding to reduce burden of morbidity and childhood diseases as well as improve health status of mothers.
“In 2018; BA-N project organised capacity building for our members, and in 2019, we formed a Saving and Loan Group (SLG).
“Presently, we have 23 SLG with minimun of 20 members each.
“Each group also donate N10,000 monthly to the primary healthcare center in their respective area for detergents and antiseptics, to enhance hygiene and sanitation in the facilities,” he said.
Breastfeeding promotion campaign in Bauchi 2
According to her, the women in Dot also provides N5,000 monthly to vulnerable households in the community to support their transportation during delivery.
The group, she said, also provide soft loans through the SLG to enable mothers to engage in productive activities to cater for their families.
Impact of health intervention on mothers
Ummu Mahmood, a nursing mother, is sitting under a roof shade in her one bedroom apartment, breastfeeding her three-months old baby.
Mahmood, just like her peers in Dot community, said she embraced exclusive breastfeeding sequel to sustained awareness creation activities by the women group in the area.
The middle-aged mother said she witnessed significant improvement in the baby’s health through practicing of exclusive breastfeeding as against her previous experience with her first child.
“I also attended routine immunisation for my child, and I’m seeing the difference in terms of his health,” she said.
Mahmood said she was encouraged by the women group to attend antenatal, practice exclusive breastfeeding and ensure proper immunisation to protect her child against child killer diseases.
Volunteer trains mothers on breastfeeding
Similarly, Mrs Rhoda Joseph, 29, a mother of two, said members of the group are conducting door-to-door sensitisation to improve health education, encourage exclusive breastfeeding and promote uptake of maternal and child health services.
Addressing challenges
Aeron Joseph, BA-N focal person in Dot community, said that apart from lack of awareness, poverty and poor attitude, over work has been impending effective performance of the women groups toward educating the women on child and maternal healthcare.
To address the trend, he said, the group initiated a volunteer scheme to reduce workload of the women cluster and enhance mobilisation activities at the grassroots.
He said four volunteers had been engaged for house-to-house mobilisation on maternal and child health services.
According to him, the 24 groups are contributing N500 each for payment of monthly stipend to the volunteers, adding that we had so far paid two months allowances to the volunteers.
Breastfeeding campaign in Dass, Bauchi
Community and religious leaders’ engagement
Chief Imam of Dot, Malam Ibrahim Isa, said they educate their followers on importance of immunisation and exclusive breastfeeding from religious health perspective.
He said the clerics in their Friday sermons enjoin husbands to support their women towards ensuring good child, maternal and family health.
Also, Mr Iliya Jinjiri, Chairman, Ward Development Committee (WDC) in Dot, said the women are actively involved in providing useful information for safe motherhood to health agencies, partners and relevant stakeholders.
He said the women groups engaged the committee whenever they face challenges with their men on immunisation and other child health services.
The committees, therefore, invited the affected spouses in the respective communities, discussed and agreed that any sick woman in the absence of her husband should be allowed to visit health facility.
“The problem is largely on the inability of sick women to visit hospital in the absence of their spouses. No matter the sickness, a sick wife must be permitted before she is allowed to visit hospital,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim Yahya, a husband, noted that the women group use to pay medical bills for their children whenever their husbands were in financial distress.
Way forward
Mr Suleiman Umar, Health Educator, Dass Local Government Council, said the council was encouraging communities to take ownership of health programmes to enhance quality healthcare service delivery in the area.
He said that health indices in the area had improved to 75 per cent from 25 per cent at the exit of the National State Health Investment Project (NSHIP).
The health official said the feat was achieved through the BA-N training programme which developed women skills, and encouraged them to embrace best health practices as well as adhere to set guidelines for sustainability.
For his part, Mr Usman Inuwa, Programme Coordinator, BA-N project, said the programme would focus more on training of women on its priority areas to sustain the gains achieved towards improved child and maternal healthcare in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Bauchi, Nov. 28, 2022 (NAN) Dr Abdulkadir Umar, the Desk Officer in charge of Rabies at the Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture, has expressed concern over recent cases of rabies detected in cats in the state.
Umar expressed his concern in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Bauchi.
He said the concern was imperative considering that rabies was known to be attributed to dogs.
Umar said that the viral disease could affect all animals including human beings if they were exposed to it.
According to him, cases of rabies among cats are a threat to public health as keeping cats has become a biological remedy to rats in households.
“Rabies is common among dogs but recently we see cats coming up with the virus.
“Because of Lassa fever, households keep cats as a biological remedy for rats, however; people should be responsible for the animals they keep,” he said.
He said: “Once dogs are three to four months; they as well as cats should be vaccinated against rabies annually.”
He also said that the vaccine for treating cats infected with rabies differs from that of dogs having rabies.
Umar advised the public against eating cat saying its consumption could expose them to the virus.
“The virus which stays in the brain and the salivary gland can be transmitted to a person or animal through openings.
“So even if the cat did not bite a person, the person might be exposed to the virus while processing the meat before it gets into the pot,” he explained.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Foundation enrols 80 out-of -school children in Bauchi
Children
By Amina Ahmed
Bauchi, Nov.24, 2022(NAN) Child is Gold Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) says it enroled 80 out-of-school children in primary schools in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi state in October.
Mrs Elizabeth George, the Executive Director of the foundation stated this when she spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Thursday.
George said that the action was to complement the government’s effort in reducing the number of out of school children in the state.
She said that the foundation procured school kits for the children worth N700,000 such as bags, sandals, uniform, books amongst others.
“We enroled 80 school children in Tafawa Balewa community for basic education.
“Some of these children were out of school because of financial challenges.
“Child is Gold only supports primary education; but still seeking support to link the children to secondary school after their basic education,” she said.
George said that the foundation had so far successfully enroled about 600 out of school children in six communities in Bauchi State in its four years operations in the state.
“We do follow up to make sure that the children remain in school.
“The foundation built a block of three classrooms in the Kokoli community of Ganjuwa LGA.
“These people are in a hard to reach communities as at the time we started work in 2020.
“The residents of Kokoli community knew nothing about governance; not even the name of the Bauchi state governor,” she said.(NAN)
RTEAN cautions members against violating traffic regulations in Bauchi
RTEAN cautions members against traffic violation in Bauchi
Traffic
By Amina Ahmed
Bauchi, Nov. 22, 2022 (NAN) Mr Abdullahi Mohammed, Chairman, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Bauchi State chapter, has cautioned members against violating traffic regulations to save lives on the highways.
Mohammed stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)on Tuesday in Bauchi.
He said that the association conducted checks on all vehicles leaving the parks to ensure adherence to vehicle maintenance.
“Drivers should be mindful of traffic rules and regulations to save lives and loss of property.
“Though road accidents are caused by human errors; motorists should always put on the safety belts.
“Avoid speeding, wrong overtaking, use of expired tyres and overloading of goods and passengers,’’ he said.
The chairman also warned against drunk driving and taking some drugs while on wheels. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
