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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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JUST IN: Court adjourns Natasha’s suit against Senate probe to March 25

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025.

The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who informed the court that they had not been served with the necessary documents.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.

Treat my wife with respect, Natasha’s husband tells Akpabio
Delivering a ruling on the application on March 5, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, barred the committee from proceeding with the probe.

Details shortly…

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Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms

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The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected gun runners and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition.

The arrests were made during stop-and-search operations along the Warri/Benin Road and Asaba/Benin Expressway on separate dates.

On 3rd March, operatives intercepted a Toyota Camry driven by one Peter James, 55, from Akwa Ibom State.

Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 5.1mm ammunition.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Monday, said that the suspect was arrested near Western Delta University, Oghara, after operatives intercepted a blue Toyota Camry with registration number PHC 257 NT.

Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk of the said Camry, popularly known as ‘big daddy,’ was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the men who were convinced that the vehicle had been modified for malicious purpose.

“The policemen then proceeded and removed the seat of the vehicle, only to discover three (3) AK-47 rifles, Two Thousand and Eighty (2,080) rounds of 7.62 mm AK-47 ammunition, one thousand and forty (1,040) rounds of 51mm ammunition loaded in four boxes.

“The exhibit has been recovered, the suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
In a separate operation on 6th March, police arrested Yahuza Magaji, 69, and Abba Sani, 17, from Kaduna State, and recovered seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges.

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Edafe said that operatives attached to Dragon Patrol Team 02 arrested the suspects while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba/Benin Expressway by the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo.

He said that police had intercepted a navy blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM, driven by one Yahuza Magaji, in the company of one Abba Sani, both of Lere LGA in Kaduna State.

“They disguised as traders transporting palm oil and garri, but the police, who insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle, recovered seven (7) pump action guns, five (5) cartons containing one thousand six hundred (1,600) rounds of live cartridges concealed under the back seat of the vehicle.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects bought the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna State. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.

Commenting on the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, expressed delight that the marching orders he gave to all tactical commanders, area commanders, and DPOs to up their game were yielding results.

“We are determined to flush out all criminal elements in the state,” said CP Abaniwonda.

“I commend the effort and determination of our men for going the extra mile to detect the hidden firearms,” he said.

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Politics

Rivers Assembly Issues Arrest Warrant For Electoral Chief

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.

The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.

Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.

The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.

Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.

In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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