10 Percent of Global Maternal, Infant Mortality Happen Here

Dutse — Nigeria is home for 10 per cent of the global maternal and infant mortality, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Information Alhaji Aminu Muhammad has said.

Inaugurating a 10-man committee for parental songs competition yesterday, the Commissioner said Nigeria's position was alarming and government at all levels need to do something to reverse the trend.

Aminu, who was represented by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Habiba Isa Dutse, said Jigawa State on its part had been doing its best to reduce maternal and infant mortality among its people.

She noted that the present administration introduced various programmes including the Safe Motherhood Initiative Programme being handled by the Ministries of Women Affairs and Health.

She however appealed to all stakeholders including federal and state governments as well as donor agencies such as UNICEF to fight the menace to reduce its rate in the country.

The state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Hajiya Tani Umar said it intends to wade into the crusade of maternal and infant mortality because it has a great role to play in the collective fight.

"NOA wants to use culture to fight the menace of maternal and infant mortality in the state. We intend to use our culture and norms, especially parental songs, which are found to be one of the instruments that always help in bringing children closer to mothers," noted Umar.
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