By Stella Kabruk

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health on Wednesday inaugurated baby creches in key government institutions to promote breastfeeding and support working mothers across the state.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Kaduna, Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, said the initiative marked a bold step by the state government in supporting women, children’s health, and broader public health goals.

She said the event was part of activities commemorating the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create a Sustainable Support System.”

“The theme speaks directly to what we are witnessing today, opening safe, supportive, and well-equipped baby creche facilities across our institutions.

“The creches are located at the State Ministry of Health, Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State University, and the State Secretariat.

“These facilities are more than just rooms; they are symbols of care, inclusion, and commitment.

“They ensure women do not have to choose between their careers and their children’s well-being,” the commissioner noted.

She emphasised that breastfeeding should be seen as a right, not a privilege, especially in the workplace, adding that sustainable breastfeeding support must include legislation, infrastructure, awareness, and compassion.

Kaltum-Ahmed also said the creches were supported by the World Bank’s Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project, which also funded renovations and equipment upgrades.

“This investment is a commitment to maternal and child health, workplace dignity, and gender-sensitive governance,” Kaltum-Ahmed said, while expressing gratitude to the World Bank and other development partners for their continued support.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the State Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), and long-standing partners including UNICEF, Alive & Thrive, WHO, the Gates Foundation, and others.

“We must work together to ensure every workplace is breastfeeding-friendly, and every child is given the healthiest start in life,” she added.

Representing the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Rabi Umar, applauded the development partners for their contributions and urged other institutions to emulate the initiative.

“This effort will help working mothers remain productive while ensuring their babies are well cared for,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr Zainab Baru, Project Manager for the World Bank’s ANRiN project, noted that the creches aimed to reduce stress for breastfeeding mothers and promote nutrition at the community level.

“We hope to track the impact of these facilities once they are in use,” she added.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Aishatu Abubakar, described the creche project as a major milestone.

“When a mother has her baby close to her at work, her productivity improves because her mind is at peace.

“This project has been in the pipeline for many years, and we are proud to see it become a reality,” she said, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to ensure the creches functioned effectively. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Abiemwense Moru

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu State Government has inaugurated the state’s sustainable food distribution programme aimed at providing food items to vulnerable households to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is designed to provide food items monthly to vulnerable households for 12 consecutive months and the food items were distributed to over 500 households in Enugu.

Inaugurating the programme at International Conference Centre, Enugu, Gov. Peter Mbah, said the programme underscored an unwavering dedication of the state government to improving the quality of life of Enugu people.

Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, noted that across the globe, food insecurity remains one of the most stubborn challenges of the time.

According to him, the United Nations estimated that no fewer than 735 million people faced hunger in 2020 and here in Nigeria, the reality hits closer to home.

“Millions of our fellow citizens continue to struggle with access to nutritious food, especially in the wake of economic shocks, climate change, displacement, and unbound poverty.

“Beyond the numbers and statistics are people, mothers, who skip meals to feed their children without access to proper nutrition and communities caught in the cycle of scarcity.

“As a responsible and responsive government, we believe that no citizen of the state should go to bed hungry. This is not just a political obligation. It is a moral one.

“So, the sustainable food distribution programme is more than just a palliative measure. It is a structured, strategic, and sustainable response to food insecurity,” Mbah said.

He explained that through the initiative, the state was providing nutritious, locally sourced food items to vulnerable homes.

Mbah stressed that the government was empowering rural farmers and food producers by integrating them into their supply chain, partnering with communities.

This, he said, the government was doing by partnering community leaders, clergy, civil society organisations, and private sector actors to ensure transparency, equity, and efficiency in distribution.

“We are aligning this intervention with the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) specifically Goal Two, which speaks to zero hunger, Goal One, no poverty, Goal 10, reduce equality, and finally Goal 17, which talks about partnership for these goals,” he said.

He also thanked the development partners, NGOs, faith-based organisations, private sector stakeholders, Sapphire, the home company, and other philanthropic individuals for their support.

In her address, the Senior Special Assistant to Mbah and the focal person of the SDGs, Onyinye Akubilo -Okpalanma, said the programme was an initiative birthed under the mandate of SDGs Office, and with the full backing of Mbah.

“This gathering is not just ceremonial; it is deeply symbolic of collective commitment to ending hunger, promoting inclusive being, and improving nutrition among our vulnerable”.

She said that food was a basic human right and not a privilege, lamenting that in many parts of the country access to safe, sufficient and nutritious food remained a daily struggle.

“The socio-economic realities of the past few years exacerbated by climate shocks, inflation, insecurity and unemployment had further exposed the fragility of our food systems and the vulnerability of many households”.

She added that the programme was built on three major pillars which were targeted support to vulnerable households, community participation and transparency and local sourcing and economic inclusion.

The focal person thanked Mbah for inclusive development, Onyia, partners and sponsors – Sapphire and Ceramic Nigeria Limited, the chairman of Enugu East Council Area, Mr Beloved-Dan Anike, among others.

Highlights of the event were distribution of 10kg bag of rice, groundnut oil, salt, soap and other condiments, presentation on spoken word poetry, award to partners and sax performance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Hamza Suleiman

The Borno government plans to resettle no fewer than 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from five Bama communities before the end of the rainy season.

Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum made this known during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Bama, Dr Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi.

The communities targeted for resettlement are Goniri, Bula Kuriye, Mayanti, Abbaram and Darajamal.

Zulum said 1,000 transitional shelters are being built in each community, with construction already completed in Darajamal.

“We are committed to returning IDPs to their ancestral homes. Work is ongoing in Mayanti, Goniri, Bula Kuriye and Abbaram.

“Darajamal has been completed. Trenches are being dug around these communities to enhance security,” he said.

Zulum stressed the importance of farming and said resettlement must happen before the rains end, to allow returnees begin this year’s cropping season.

“Farming remains our greatest treasure. I’ll liaise with the Commanding Officer and Civilian JTF to reinforce community security,” he said.

The governor confirmed that security had been strengthened in Nguro Soye, a farming community on Bama’s outskirts.

“On my return from Gwoza, I stopped at Banki Junction to discuss plans for intensified operations in Nguro Soye and nearby areas.

“We’ve supported the military and Civilian JTF with logistics and pledged six months’ allowances for volunteer patrols,” Zulum added.

In his response, the Shehu of Bama, Dr El-Kanemi, praised the governor’s efforts towards resettling displaced persons and supporting local farmers.

“I thank His Excellency for returning the people of Darajamal and working to resettle others. We are truly grateful,” the traditional ruler said.

He appealed for additional support to the Civilian-JTF to secure farmlands and ensure farmers’ safety during the season. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has refuted an online publication claiming that the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Line has been vandalised and not safe for usage.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, made the clarification in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC.

“The management of NRC has observed with concern a report published on the internet, which claimed that vandals invaded a section of the $1.5 billion Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project.

“It stated that the vandals had stolen major components of the railway project inaugurated by late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021,” he said.

Opeifa said while NRC appreciated efforts of the media houses which published the story to draw attention to activities of economic saboteurs jeopardising smooth railway operations, it was important to note that the referenced video was not recent.

He also said that the incident did not occur on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge corridor.

Opeifa said that the incident took place between Aug. 7, 2024 and Aug. 27 2024, on the old narrow gauge line between Kilometre 170 (Omi-Adio) and Kilometre 240 (Erunmu) in Oyo State.

He said that, according to NRC internal communication dated Aug. 7, 2024, the vandalised section involved the narrow gauge line laid on concrete sleepers.

“Documented records showed that these acts were recorded twice in August (between Aug. 7 and Aug. 27, 2024) at Kilometre 218 (Erunmu, Ibadan) where 250 E-clips were vandalised, and at Kilometre 221 (Erunmu, Ibadan) where 16 short rails and one additional short rail were carted away.

“Also, on Sept. 9, 2004, another 280 E-clips, including two poles, were stolen at Kilometre 219 (Erunmu, Ibadan).

“These incidents triggered immediate intervention by the corporation through community engagement involving the village head of Erunmu, the vigilante group and the police.

“Sensitisation campaigns were also organised at Agodi Gate, targeting scrap metal dealers, to curb the purchase of stolen railway materials which are critical national assets,” he said.

He said that following the actions, several suspects were arrested and handed over to the Railway Police Command in Lagos for further interrogation and prosecution.

He said that since then, no incident of vandalism had been reported on that axis.

“NRC management wish to, again, warn all those, who have remained recalcitrant, to refrain from vandalising train tracks or risk stiff prosecution as economic saboteurs if caught,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called for calm over the suspension of the operations of Badeggi FM, a radio station in Minna, Niger.

This is contained in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, on Saturday in Abuja.

Idris noted the concerns raised by various stakeholders in the media industry regarding the recent directive by the Niger Government suspending the operations of the FM station.

According to reports, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger had issued the directive during an expanded state APC caucus meeting in Minna on Aug. 1, citing allegations of unethical broadcasting and incitement by the station.

While acknowledging the concerns raised, the minister, however, noted that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law.

“In the light of this, the minister welcomes the decision of the Niger government to formally report the perceived ‘unethical behaviour’ by Badeggi FM to the NBC,” the statement said.

Idris appealed to all parties to remain calm, assuring them that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Yakubu Uba