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Kaduna dep.  gov. advocates increased breastfeeding awareness

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The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has emphasised the critical importance of breastfeeding in reducing infant mortality and enhancing child health.
Balarabe made this known at a press briefing held in commemoration of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week, on Thursday in Kaduna.
She said that the state government remained committed to raising awareness about breastfeeding.
Balarabe said that exclusive breastfeeding was crucial for newborns’ survival and development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 She explained that breast milk, especially the first milk known as colostrum, provided essential nutrients and immunity-boosting properties that protect infants from common illnesses.
According to her, in spite of these benefits, there is need to  express concern over declining breastfeeding rates in Kaduna State.
Balarabe cited the drop in early breastfeeding initiation from 35.9 per cent in 2018 to 13  per cent in 2021, according to recent surveys.
She also pointed out that fewer than half of infants under six months old were exclusively breastfed, which was below the World Health Organization’s recommendation.
The deputy governor praised the theme of this year’s campaign, ‘Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All’, and outlined the government’s efforts to support breastfeeding mothers.
She said that the government’s support included a six-month paid maternity leave for civil servants, the establishment of nutrition corners across the state and the creation of Crèches in government offices.
Balarabe acknowledged the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers, including poverty, insecurity and economic difficulties which had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 She assured the state government under Gov. Uba Sani’s leadership was taking steps to address these issues, including distributing free fertilizers and farm inputs to boost food production.
The deputy governor also called on all the stakeholders including the media to support the breastfeeding campaign, stressing the importance of breastfeeding in ensuring the survival and well-being of future generations.
Speaking at the event, Gerida Birukila, Chief of the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, emphasised the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers and addressing maternal nutrition challenges.
She said that UNICEF was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian mother received the support needed for successful breastfeeding, regardless of her circumstances.
Birukila stressed that breastfeeding was essential for the survival, health, and well-being of infants, providing vital nutrients and protection against illnesses.
She acknowledged the persistent inequalities that hindered access to breastfeeding support, particularly for vulnerable mothers in rural areas and during emergencies.
 Birukila called for integrated breastfeeding support in Nigeria’s emergency response plans to protect the most vulnerable infants, especially during crises like conflicts and insurgencies.
She said that addressing challenges affecting breastfeeding mothers, called for  the involvement of all the stakeholders, including governments, CSOs, health systems and communities, in creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding.
Birukila lamented the high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Nigeria, with 40 per cent of women in Kaduna State affected.
She advocated the scaling up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy, a strategy approved in 2021 to combat anemia and improve maternal and child health.
According to her, MMS,  which contained 13-15 essential vitamins and minerals, was provided through antenatal care services and had been shown to prevent anemia, reduce low birth weight and potentially lower perinatal mortality.
Birukila called for strengthened efforts at the state level to finance and deliver MMS as part of a comprehensive maternal nutrition programme..
She emphasised the importance of reshaping behaviors at the household and community levels to ensure adherence to MMS consumption.
 Birukila expressed optimism about the progress and innovations that would emerge from these collective efforts.
She urged sustained action beyond the week to create a healthier and more equitable future for all Nigerians.(NAN
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Education

BREAKING: JAMB Release 2025 UTME Results, 39,834 Candidates’ Scores Withheld

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.

Elanza news reported that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.

The board also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.

The board said it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.

He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.

A press conference to this effect is ongoing.

Details coming…

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Oyo State Adviser Urges Stricter Fire Safety Measures After Factory Blaze

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A massive fire razed a warehouse at Global Crystal Foam Nigeria Limited in Oko-Oba, Oyo State, on Thursday night, destroying property worth millions of naira, officials confirmed.

The blaze, which broke out along Akinmorin Road, prompted a rapid response from state and federal fire services, who managed to contain the inferno within 15 minutes.

Hon. Maroof Akinwande, Senior Adviser on Fire Service Reform to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, visited the scene and urged the company’s management to prioritise fire safety measures to prevent future incidents.

“The governor places immense value on the safety of lives and property,” Akinwande said, calling on the public to cooperate with firefighters during emergencies.

The Oyo State Fire Service Agency, led by General Manager Akinyemi Akinyinka, was alerted to the fire at 8:50 pm by a retired fire officer, Mr. M.O. Adewuyi.

“Upon arrival, we found the warehouse engulfed in flames,” Akinyinka said.

“Our team, supported by the Federal Fire Service, Oyo Command, applied firefighting chemicals to restrict the fire from spreading to other sections of the company.”

Akinyinka noted that the fire, caused by overheating foam blocks igniting nearby combustibles, had raged for an hour before the agency was notified by a passerby who spotted smoke.

Despite the delay, the coordinated response prevented the blaze from consuming the entire facility, saving property worth millions.

Security was provided by a team from the Oyo East Division of the Amotekun Corps, led by CFS Adeduntan, who ensured no looting occurred during the operation.

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Why We Invests N3.5bn To Social, Sustainability Efforts In 2024—MTN

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MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company, has invested N3.5 billion in corporate social investment (CSI) in 2024, bringing its total CSI spending to N31.9 billion since its inception, the company’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX) during the presentation of the company’s Facts Behind the Sustainability Report, Okigbo highlighted the tangible impacts of MTN’s initiatives.

“Our efforts have benefited over 663,300 individuals, supported 628 small businesses, and improved educational outcomes in 62 schools across Nigeria,” he said.

The company also launched the Sustainability in Action, Value for the MTN Everyone (SAVE) campaign to enhance employee engagement in sustainability efforts.

To improve global accessibility, MTN’s 2023 sustainability report was digitally tagged with extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), making it easier for investors and stakeholders to access.

MTN Nigeria made significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 11% from its 2021 baseline of 113,826 tCO²e to 101,300 tCO²e in 2024.

The company expanded renewable energy use by adding 194 solar-powered rural telephony sites and became the first telecom operator in West Africa to introduce eco-friendly SIM cards.

On the social front, MTN reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality through its Yellowpreneur platform, which provides women access to low-interest loans.

“No fewer than 600,000 women have benefited from this initiative,” Okigbo noted, adding that the loans, facilitated through partner banks, carry an interest rate not exceeding N3.00.

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