Love each other
By
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Love each other indeed
Help understand each other with trust
And trust one another with love
Where trust and love exits violence defect
To love each other is natural
To fight each other is unreal
Shake hands and smile to each other
My fellow youth I urged
We are made for each other
While depend on each other
Only loving each other made us we
Shun and avoid violence act brothers and sisters
Young people using knife or gun
Swearing and abusive words by youth
Should turns to music and playing with cheers
Love each other indeed
Respecting elders is a must
Respecting parents is a must
Parents and elders were once youth
They have seeing goodies and baddies of life
They are the best teachers in real
Kind to one another is the best
Love each other unite us
Respect one another team-us
Trust each other build us
Together we celebrate peaceful world
Youth the agent of change!
Poem wrote 2008 and presented @ ANA Kano creative writers forum at MURTALA Muhammad Library American corner on Saturday 28/12/2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
The untold truth of Systematic War Against Nigerian Muslims: Text from Supreme Council For Sharia in Nigeria . Must read for truth seekers
Text of a Press Conference by the Supreme Council For Sharia in
Nigeria on Sunday, 1st December, 2013
No More Pretensions, the Nigerian State is waging a war on Islam and Muslims.
Gentlemen of the Press, I welcome you all to this Press Conference on a very important and weighty issue on the serious concerns of Muslims over a Systematic war on Muslims and Islam by the Federal Government, controlled by CAN.
Since the end of Military dictatorship in 1999, Muslims and other objective observers have witnessed, with incredible consternation, the progressive transformation of the Nigerian State into a government of CAN, by CAN and for Christians, in character, structure and policies.
This ugly development, now appropriately christened a “transformation agenda”, appears to have reached its zenith, involving practically all Federal Government Institutions and resources, with the active support of all security agencies and the Armed forces, all pursing in unison, the objective of collective punishment, marginalization, intimidation and demonization of Muslims and Islam. This unfortunate development is now openly executed, with no conscience or pretensions, for even the blind can see. This relentless war against Islam and Muslims for close to 15 years by the Nigerian State and its agencies of coercion, which was initially under deceptive guises, is today crystal clearly targeting the slaughter of Muslims with impunity, and to destroy the future and livelihood of Muslims in every conceivable way, for the goal of 2015 in the short term and at the same time, inflict upon Muslims, an everlasting state of impotence in the long term. This MUST stop, Now! And from today, we urge all Muslims to wake up to this real and immediate danger so that we can take appropriate steps to put an end to it.
I will begin with the latest plan by CAN and its security agencies, SSS, DIA, DMI and the Police, to target and arrest prominent Muslim clerics, scholars, Imams and other activists, then employ the obnoxious SSS tactic of using youths, under duress or through inducement and deception, to give false prepared testimonies against such targeted Muslims. The most recent case is the criminal arrest, detention and humiliation of Dr. Muhammad Yunus Nazeefi, a well known and respected critic of the Boko Haram ideology and tactics, now being portrayed as a spiritual leader of the group.
We demand his immediate and unconditional release from detention, a public apology, compensation for his unlawful incarceration and humiliation, and most importantly, a public inquiry to reveal those behind this dastardly act.
We also call on the President to put an immediate end to the impunity and criminality of the SSS or risk the wrath of the people who will definitely rise up to resist such gross abuses and injustice. Injustice as is being perpetrated by the present Government, can never bring about peace, but breed perpetual circles of violence. Unfortunately, we are aware of a sinister plan to commence the wholesale arrest and humiliation of prominent Muslims, with approval from the highest level of Govt., to include Muslim clerics, scholars, Imams and other Muslim activists.
At this juncture, I must salute the courageous patience and perseverance of Nigerian Muslims for all the acts of provocation, impunity, brazen injustices, profiling and stigmatization, over a long period. No doubt, we have given the Govt. benefit of doubt for too long, for noble as the act of patience is, it has a limit, and that limit we seem to have reached now. The import of the statement by the Chief of Army staff, General Ihejinka in 2011 that the armed forces are fighting a civil war, not just elements of the Boko Haram insurgency is quite clear today, it is a war against Islam and Muslims.
Muslims are fed up with the Government’s duplicitous circle of deception and double standards. Here, I will give just a few in controvertible examples, which raise many questions begging for answers. (i) Since the early 1980s when religious crises and the mass massacre of Muslims commenced in earnest, (Zangon Kataf I and II, Kasuwan Magani, Kafanchan, Tafawa Balewa, Jos, Yelwan Shendam, Numan, Mambila Plateau, Kuru Jenta, and most recently, Zonkwa, Wase and Wukari), all promises, undertakings and assurances by the Federal Government to investigate and sanction the leaders and perpetrators have not been met. After each round of massacre of Muslims, the Federal Government would come with the familiar high sounding assurances which are never meant to be fulfilled.
(ii) For quite some time, there have been numerous cases of Christians involved in terrorist related acts, but such cases are never investigated by the Police and SSS, even in instances where they were caught red handed in the act. I will give a few instances in 2010 alone, beginning with Messrs. Moses Ashaji and Papa, arrested on Friday, 19th February, 2010 along Akwanga-Jos Road with huge stocks of locally manufactured rifles. Also, Daniel Chayi Gyang, Amos Akila and Mbono Musa, were arrested with deadly weapons, including rocket launchers, grenades and AK47 rifles, intercepted by the SSS in Maiduguri on 30th July, 2010 on their way to Plateau State. There was another case of eleven well armed terrorists arrested in August 2010, including the village head of Nasarawa Village, Chief Danteri Bongwat of Langtang South, and an illegal armory located in Kuru, Plateau State. These cases were widely reported in the media, but the CAN SSS never took any action, because they were not Muslims. Still in 2010, the Punch Newspaper reported the arrest of Five (5) Pastors “for operating an Illegal Military outfit” (a Euphemism for terrorist activity, since the word is exclusively reserved for Muslims), in Lagos, with their photographs published at page 11 of the Wednesday edition, 10th March, 2010.
The examples are too numerous to cite here, but the most recent were two news reports on the arrest CAN Military operatives by the police “for operating illegal security outfit” in Jalingo, Taraba State. Those arrested included Reverend Chaplain Shehu Yakubu, a retired customs officer Sunday Silas, retired SSS officer Sulaiman Audu, a retired ASP Y. Winew, a retired ASP Isma’ila Makaniki and many others. This was reported by the Daily Trust Newspaper of Saturday, 2nd November, 2013 at page 10. In the same paper, at Page 8, was another report, “Police nab woman, 2 others over militia training in Gombe”, in which one Mrs. Deborah Babayo and two men were reportedly arrested by the Gombe Police Command “for conducting illegal militia training under the auspices of an illegal organization, called “The Elite Corps” on the outskirts of Gombe, on 1st November, 2013. In both cases, which we believe the Police and SSS will sweep under the carpet as usual, the concern of the Police in the two reports was the ``sums of money involved but unfortunately, though not surprisingly, they were silent on the cache of arms recovered.
Perhaps even more revealing in the unfolding drama of double standards and deception by the Federal Government and its CAN controlled security agencies are widely reported cases of Christians, too numerous to mention, who were actually caught in the act of terrorism, which were never investigated, let alone prosecuted. There have been more than twenty of such cases, but I will cite about half a dozen as examples, in Gombe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Plateau, Lagos, Benue and Rivers States.
In Gombe State, there was a report on the arrest of Christian men that sprayed bullets on the Gombe Deeper Life Church worshippers. Igbos were the suspects arrested who were reportedly taken to Abuja. Shortly thereafter, two Christians, Hassan Ojudu and Sama’ila Yakubu were arrested with a vehicle loaded with explosive devices and ammunitions. Curiously, they too were reportedly taken to Abuja, and as usual, nothing has been heard from the SSS Spokeswoman or in the news, to date. Still in Gombe State, one Madam Ruth was caught attempting to bomb ECWA Church in the Kalarin area of Kaltungo. But the security agencies claimed she was “hypnotized” and was conveniently set free.
In Bauchi State, one Miss Lydia Joseph was also caught red handed trying to set ST. John Catholic Church in Bauchi on fire, but she was immediately set free, with the explanation that she had a problem with a boyfriend member of the Church! Shortly after that incident, eight (8) COCIN Church members were arrested with explosive devices while attempting to bomb the Miya-Barkatai branch of the Church. By the following Sunday, they were free to participate in Church service.
In Plateau State, in March 2012, a Christian wearing Military Uniform, later identified as a member of the COCIN Church, was lynched while trying to escape after the bombing of the same Church headquarters in Jos. A few days later, on Sunday 25th March, 2012, the Special Task Force (STF) paraded one Mr. Alex Danladi, who was caught wearing army camouflage, along with one Mr. Dung Bulus, a well known fabricator of guns, and some others the authorities said were students of the University of Jos. A few weeks later, on 10th April, 2012 one Mr. Monday Davou was arrested, caught red handed, planting a timed improvised explosive device (IED), at the Makera weekly market in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State. This was evidently aimed at committing mass murder that was to have been instantly attributed to Boko Haram, to provide a good excuse to attack Muslims, demonize Islam and opportunity to loot Muslim property and cattle!
In Lagos, the Saturday Sun newspaper of 10th March, 2012, at page 10, reported that 11 cartons of explosives imported from South Africa, which were carefully packaged to beat security checks, where intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The huge consignments were for Miero Marble Granite and Stones Ltd, in Kaduna State, with one Mr. Micheal Awara Ernest as the Company representative to collect the explosives at the Cargo terminal. The statement of the Customs Area commandant at the Airport, Mr. Charles Eporwei Edike, which was profoundly insightful on the intent and probable consequences of the explosive, fell on the deaf ears of the SSS. He said “if those items were released, they could have been used to cause mayhem. We are now going to hand him and the items over to the Police for further investigation”. Well, since the handover, neither the Police nor the Spokeswoman of the almighty SSS have not said, or done anything on the case. It would be most surprising if he was not set free with his toxic import, to kill Muslims. In Benue State, on Sunday, 19th February, 2013 four (4) persons, were arrested while trying to detonate explosives at the ST. Theresa’s Catholic Parish in Makurdi. The Leadership newspaper of Wednesday, 22nd February, 2012, at page 10, reported the Police PRO, Mr. Ejike as saying that the four terrorists arrested were Christians. But before the honest revelation, the members of the public had already jumped to the conclusion that they were Muslims.
The factual examples are just too many, but for the purpose of this Press Conference, I will conclude with two examples indicative of the international dimension of the deception and double standards of our CAN controlled SSS and the Police Force. On January 11th 2012, two Nigerians, Sunday Eze from Anambra State and one Samuel Taiwo from Ogun State with three other Ghanains were arrested in Ghana, with heavy weaponry, carefully concealed in a truck which was to be brought to Nigeria. The question to ask the Police, SSS and the Presidency is who were behind the order? Certainly not NSCIA, SCSN, JNI, NASFAT, MSS, NACOMYO, MURIC OR UMMAH. While Opposing the bail of the terrorists in court on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 the office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Ghana said “the arms and ammunitions seized on transit to Nigeria were to be used to fuel terrorists activities in Nigeria”. Which terrorist groups are they that the Nigerian Government, the Police and SSS are protecting? It must surely be the bigger, better armed, well financed and protected Government/CAN Boko Haram.
Finally, on specific factual examples, was a BBC news report published by THISDAY Newspaper of Friday, 13th January, 2012 on page 6, on a British arms dealer, Gary Hyde being prosecuted in a London court for unlawfully arranging the shipment of about 80,000 guns and 32Million rounds of ammunition from China to Nigeria in 2007. Obviously, it was not meant for Muslim terrorists, because if it was, the BBC, CNN and the Nigerian Media would have kept harping on it. As for the Presidency, SSS, the Police and our Armed Forces, this event never happened.
It appears a good number of Nigerians are afflicted by amnesia, but keen observers would recall that a few years ago, a systematic robbery of the armory of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, the 1st division of the Nigerian Army Kaduna, Ikeja cantonment and many other Military formations was widely reported, involving Christian serving Officers and Generals. A Military inquiry was instituted and many Christian Officers, serving and retired including the Late General Azazi, were indicted, but nothing was done to any of them. More importantly, were are the arms? May be they were given to one Boko Haram or another! What about the report of the Military Inquiry?
Gentlemen of the press, there are just too many questions begging for answers from the Presidency, the SSS, the Police and the Military high Command. The Presidency is definitely involved in the cover ups and double standards, for why would the President, rush to absolve MENDS from the first terrorist act involving massive bombs in Nigeria, on October 1st, 2009 even before the commencement of any investigation and attribute it to Muslim Leaders? Why would the Commander in Chief, order the Director General of SSS to publicly, in Church, grant a pardon to a Christian terrorist group, OMBATSE, of Nasarawa State, who slaughtered over 80 mobile policemen and 10 SSS operatives? Let any fair minded person imagine what would have happened if it was a group in Kano, Katsina, or any Muslims were behind what OMBATSE did! As for the double standards of the SSS; it seems to be a part of their training or culture, to provide excuses and explanations for any Christian unfortunate to be caught in a terrorist activity. The Eggon Christian tribesman of the Minister of Information (and Defence!) who was also caught red handed with arms at the Federal Ministry of Information, readily comes to mind. The SSS Spokeswoman explained off this security breach as a non-issue, since it was not a Muslim that was involved.
Recent Mass Massacre of Muslims
The Sunday Trust Newspaper of 20th October, 2013 revealed that the JTF had dumped 3,335 corpse, in Maiduguri Hospital mortuary, the toll for only 6 months, January to June, 2013. Incontrovertible evidence further revealed that an average of not less than 12 young Muslims were massacred every day during the period, at the Maiduguri Military Barracks alone! In January, 94 were killed, 61 in February, 218 in March, 200 in April, 161 in May and 233. This total figure does not include thousands killed in their homes, in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano. To the Nigerian Government and its security agencies, the blood of a Muslim is not worth more than a mosquito.
In 2009, after series of denials by the Police and SSS of extra judicial massacre of Muslims in Maiduguri, ALJAZEERA aired a video clip that revealed the monstrous evil committed. In spite of the outcry and the clear evidence including the identity of the perpetrators, the matter has been conveniently swept under the carpet. The Apo six murderers who happened to be Muslims were however promptly apprehended, dismissed and prosecuted with unprecedented swiftness. But the most recent Apo 9 murderers are yet to be apprehended, why? because the poor souls were hated Muslims.
Disproportionate Recruitments into all Govt. Services, especially, the SSS, Armed Forces and the Police
As a result of the non-challance of Muslim leaders, especially in the last 15 years, recruitments into key parastatals and agencies, especially the SSS, NIA, the Police, the Armed Forces and even paramilitary agencies, have been systematically skewed to favour Christians, with massive expulsion and wholesale retirement of Muslims. Our Council had cause to bring this issue to the public domain and even involved the Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs and the JNI, with an advertorial and a petition on the matter handed to President Obasanjo in 2005 by the Late Sultan. Almost 10 years later, the lopsidedness in the recruitment has become even more brazen. The recent recruitment into the SSS officer corp, the latest of which graduated from their Training school in Lagos about a month ago, showed for example, Kano had 6, Kebbi and Sokoto had 3 each, while Rivers State had 38 and Akwa Ibom had 40. In addition, most of those from Kaduna, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Gombe , Ogun, Oyo and Oshun States were predominantly Christians.
At the Zaria Army depot, where other ranks of the Army are trained, over 11,000 were recruited and trained in the last 3 years, and Christian constitutes a big majority. Just last week, about 40 Muslim trainee recruits at the Zaria Army Depot were expelled, with no explanation, a few weeks before the end of their training. The records of recruitment into the officer corps of the Armed Forces at the NDA, had for over 20 years now been skewed to favour Christians. The most recent list of recruitment into the 65th regular course of the NDA is typical of what has been going on for years; Kaduna had 3 Muslims and 11 Christians, Adamawa 4 Muslims, 9 Christians, Taraba 3 Muslims 10 Christians, with Borno faring a little better with 7 Muslims and Six Christians. There have been many cases of Christians given slots in Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara and even Sokoto, but you will never, find a Muslim name in Benue, South East and South South.
This is a very serious issue that must be remedied, because the series of religious/ethnic crises are further compounded by the disproportionate representation of Muslims in the SSS, the Police and the Armed Forces. For example, the authoritative Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a damming report on the last major religious crisis in Jos, indicted the Mobile Police for singling out Muslims for massacre. It cited more than a dozen incidents in which mainly Muslims were rounded up and gunned down. In one incident, 44 Muslims were shot in firing squad style.
It also listed seven separate incidents of arbitrary killings in which 47 Muslims were shot by Military men. Of Course, the HRW appeal for a probe of the Mobile Police was disregarded. Their report concluded with the recommendation,:- The HRW reported concluded that -
“The probe of the Mobile Police should go beyond its role in the Jos crisis to unearth its recruitment policy, numerical strength and the religious affiliations of its officers and men”. It added that –
“Unless the roles played by the Mobile Police and fake (sic CAN) soldiers are properly investigated and the finding made public, other groups are likely to adopt similar methods in the nearest future”.
Earlier on, the then Police Commissioner in Kaduna State, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, observed after the 2000 major religious crises, observed that unless the composition of the Police Force, which then was 80% Christians in Kaduna State was re-constituted, there would be no end to religious crises (page 24 New Nigerian newspaper of Wednesday, 2nd August 2000).
We therefore urge the Federal Government, the Nigerian Police, the Armed Forces and the SSS and NIA to come clean on these injustices with satisfactory explanations and assurance of fair play and transparency. Government at all levels, especially the Federal Government should note that there can never be peace without justice and no people, however complacent, can accept such excesses, without reacting. And unless the Federal Government is determined to push Nigerian Muslims to that stage, we demand immediate, transparent remedial actions.
Fellow Nigerians and gentlemen of the Press, how many people would believe that in the 21st Century, and for almost 10years, 80 Muslim women and girls are still being held as “booty” (ganima) dehumanized as sex slaves by Christians in Plateau State, since the Yelwan Shendam massacre of Muslims in 2004. All efforts to get the appropriate authorities to take immediate steps to secure their release and re-union with their families have fell on deaf ears. Our Council had held series of meetings with 3 Inspectors General of Police, 3 Directors General of SSS and the NSA all of whom were given petitions on the matter. As at 2004, over 200 such Muslim women and girls were involved, the Council was successful in securing the freedom of about 120, all victims of forced labour, rapes and emotional trauma. If this barbaric act had affected Christians, the Federal Government, and its security agencies would have ruthlessly swung into action with an International Press awash with the news.
It is evident that CAN and the Federal Government are poised to undermine Islam, for at every turn, every right of Muslims according to their faith is being opposed with threats borne out of blind hatred. The ethical system of banking, universally embraces, was opposed by CAN, Nigeria’s membership into the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was opposed for over 20years, until about Six years ago when the Obasanjo saw beyond religious bias, the benefits of joining IDB to the country. Still, the Governors of Oshun and Adamawa states are facing opposition in their plans to secure interest free long term developmental loans from the IDB, for no reasons other than irrational prejudice against anything Islamic. Christians, on the other hand, are not only free to practice every aspect of their faith, but can even pick and incorporate aspects of the Islamic faith convenient for them with the support of the Government; the annual trips on government sponsorship to Egypt, Israel and Rome in the name of pilgrimage, is an example.
In conclusion, while we call on Muslims to meticulously stick to the teachings of Islam on Peace, Justice, Compassion and truthfulness, we all know that everything human has a limit. The fact is the patience of Muslims who have been systematically brutalized, stigmatized, marginalized and pauperized , been severely tested and overstretched. We therefore call on all people of conscience to stand up for the truth against such glaring injustices, otherwise we all know it is a fact of life that every act has a consequence, good or bad. We therefore want the Federal Government to know that it is no longer acceptable for the rights of Muslims to be abridged or annulled, while Christians in Nigeria have an unfettered right to do as they wish.
============================= =================================
DR. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, OFR Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, mni
No More Pretensions, the Nigerian State is waging a war on Islam and Muslims.
Gentlemen of the Press, I welcome you all to this Press Conference on a very important and weighty issue on the serious concerns of Muslims over a Systematic war on Muslims and Islam by the Federal Government, controlled by CAN.
Since the end of Military dictatorship in 1999, Muslims and other objective observers have witnessed, with incredible consternation, the progressive transformation of the Nigerian State into a government of CAN, by CAN and for Christians, in character, structure and policies.
This ugly development, now appropriately christened a “transformation agenda”, appears to have reached its zenith, involving practically all Federal Government Institutions and resources, with the active support of all security agencies and the Armed forces, all pursing in unison, the objective of collective punishment, marginalization, intimidation and demonization of Muslims and Islam. This unfortunate development is now openly executed, with no conscience or pretensions, for even the blind can see. This relentless war against Islam and Muslims for close to 15 years by the Nigerian State and its agencies of coercion, which was initially under deceptive guises, is today crystal clearly targeting the slaughter of Muslims with impunity, and to destroy the future and livelihood of Muslims in every conceivable way, for the goal of 2015 in the short term and at the same time, inflict upon Muslims, an everlasting state of impotence in the long term. This MUST stop, Now! And from today, we urge all Muslims to wake up to this real and immediate danger so that we can take appropriate steps to put an end to it.
I will begin with the latest plan by CAN and its security agencies, SSS, DIA, DMI and the Police, to target and arrest prominent Muslim clerics, scholars, Imams and other activists, then employ the obnoxious SSS tactic of using youths, under duress or through inducement and deception, to give false prepared testimonies against such targeted Muslims. The most recent case is the criminal arrest, detention and humiliation of Dr. Muhammad Yunus Nazeefi, a well known and respected critic of the Boko Haram ideology and tactics, now being portrayed as a spiritual leader of the group.
We demand his immediate and unconditional release from detention, a public apology, compensation for his unlawful incarceration and humiliation, and most importantly, a public inquiry to reveal those behind this dastardly act.
We also call on the President to put an immediate end to the impunity and criminality of the SSS or risk the wrath of the people who will definitely rise up to resist such gross abuses and injustice. Injustice as is being perpetrated by the present Government, can never bring about peace, but breed perpetual circles of violence. Unfortunately, we are aware of a sinister plan to commence the wholesale arrest and humiliation of prominent Muslims, with approval from the highest level of Govt., to include Muslim clerics, scholars, Imams and other Muslim activists.
At this juncture, I must salute the courageous patience and perseverance of Nigerian Muslims for all the acts of provocation, impunity, brazen injustices, profiling and stigmatization, over a long period. No doubt, we have given the Govt. benefit of doubt for too long, for noble as the act of patience is, it has a limit, and that limit we seem to have reached now. The import of the statement by the Chief of Army staff, General Ihejinka in 2011 that the armed forces are fighting a civil war, not just elements of the Boko Haram insurgency is quite clear today, it is a war against Islam and Muslims.
Muslims are fed up with the Government’s duplicitous circle of deception and double standards. Here, I will give just a few in controvertible examples, which raise many questions begging for answers. (i) Since the early 1980s when religious crises and the mass massacre of Muslims commenced in earnest, (Zangon Kataf I and II, Kasuwan Magani, Kafanchan, Tafawa Balewa, Jos, Yelwan Shendam, Numan, Mambila Plateau, Kuru Jenta, and most recently, Zonkwa, Wase and Wukari), all promises, undertakings and assurances by the Federal Government to investigate and sanction the leaders and perpetrators have not been met. After each round of massacre of Muslims, the Federal Government would come with the familiar high sounding assurances which are never meant to be fulfilled.
(ii) For quite some time, there have been numerous cases of Christians involved in terrorist related acts, but such cases are never investigated by the Police and SSS, even in instances where they were caught red handed in the act. I will give a few instances in 2010 alone, beginning with Messrs. Moses Ashaji and Papa, arrested on Friday, 19th February, 2010 along Akwanga-Jos Road with huge stocks of locally manufactured rifles. Also, Daniel Chayi Gyang, Amos Akila and Mbono Musa, were arrested with deadly weapons, including rocket launchers, grenades and AK47 rifles, intercepted by the SSS in Maiduguri on 30th July, 2010 on their way to Plateau State. There was another case of eleven well armed terrorists arrested in August 2010, including the village head of Nasarawa Village, Chief Danteri Bongwat of Langtang South, and an illegal armory located in Kuru, Plateau State. These cases were widely reported in the media, but the CAN SSS never took any action, because they were not Muslims. Still in 2010, the Punch Newspaper reported the arrest of Five (5) Pastors “for operating an Illegal Military outfit” (a Euphemism for terrorist activity, since the word is exclusively reserved for Muslims), in Lagos, with their photographs published at page 11 of the Wednesday edition, 10th March, 2010.
The examples are too numerous to cite here, but the most recent were two news reports on the arrest CAN Military operatives by the police “for operating illegal security outfit” in Jalingo, Taraba State. Those arrested included Reverend Chaplain Shehu Yakubu, a retired customs officer Sunday Silas, retired SSS officer Sulaiman Audu, a retired ASP Y. Winew, a retired ASP Isma’ila Makaniki and many others. This was reported by the Daily Trust Newspaper of Saturday, 2nd November, 2013 at page 10. In the same paper, at Page 8, was another report, “Police nab woman, 2 others over militia training in Gombe”, in which one Mrs. Deborah Babayo and two men were reportedly arrested by the Gombe Police Command “for conducting illegal militia training under the auspices of an illegal organization, called “The Elite Corps” on the outskirts of Gombe, on 1st November, 2013. In both cases, which we believe the Police and SSS will sweep under the carpet as usual, the concern of the Police in the two reports was the ``sums of money involved but unfortunately, though not surprisingly, they were silent on the cache of arms recovered.
Perhaps even more revealing in the unfolding drama of double standards and deception by the Federal Government and its CAN controlled security agencies are widely reported cases of Christians, too numerous to mention, who were actually caught in the act of terrorism, which were never investigated, let alone prosecuted. There have been more than twenty of such cases, but I will cite about half a dozen as examples, in Gombe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Plateau, Lagos, Benue and Rivers States.
In Gombe State, there was a report on the arrest of Christian men that sprayed bullets on the Gombe Deeper Life Church worshippers. Igbos were the suspects arrested who were reportedly taken to Abuja. Shortly thereafter, two Christians, Hassan Ojudu and Sama’ila Yakubu were arrested with a vehicle loaded with explosive devices and ammunitions. Curiously, they too were reportedly taken to Abuja, and as usual, nothing has been heard from the SSS Spokeswoman or in the news, to date. Still in Gombe State, one Madam Ruth was caught attempting to bomb ECWA Church in the Kalarin area of Kaltungo. But the security agencies claimed she was “hypnotized” and was conveniently set free.
In Bauchi State, one Miss Lydia Joseph was also caught red handed trying to set ST. John Catholic Church in Bauchi on fire, but she was immediately set free, with the explanation that she had a problem with a boyfriend member of the Church! Shortly after that incident, eight (8) COCIN Church members were arrested with explosive devices while attempting to bomb the Miya-Barkatai branch of the Church. By the following Sunday, they were free to participate in Church service.
In Plateau State, in March 2012, a Christian wearing Military Uniform, later identified as a member of the COCIN Church, was lynched while trying to escape after the bombing of the same Church headquarters in Jos. A few days later, on Sunday 25th March, 2012, the Special Task Force (STF) paraded one Mr. Alex Danladi, who was caught wearing army camouflage, along with one Mr. Dung Bulus, a well known fabricator of guns, and some others the authorities said were students of the University of Jos. A few weeks later, on 10th April, 2012 one Mr. Monday Davou was arrested, caught red handed, planting a timed improvised explosive device (IED), at the Makera weekly market in Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State. This was evidently aimed at committing mass murder that was to have been instantly attributed to Boko Haram, to provide a good excuse to attack Muslims, demonize Islam and opportunity to loot Muslim property and cattle!
In Lagos, the Saturday Sun newspaper of 10th March, 2012, at page 10, reported that 11 cartons of explosives imported from South Africa, which were carefully packaged to beat security checks, where intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The huge consignments were for Miero Marble Granite and Stones Ltd, in Kaduna State, with one Mr. Micheal Awara Ernest as the Company representative to collect the explosives at the Cargo terminal. The statement of the Customs Area commandant at the Airport, Mr. Charles Eporwei Edike, which was profoundly insightful on the intent and probable consequences of the explosive, fell on the deaf ears of the SSS. He said “if those items were released, they could have been used to cause mayhem. We are now going to hand him and the items over to the Police for further investigation”. Well, since the handover, neither the Police nor the Spokeswoman of the almighty SSS have not said, or done anything on the case. It would be most surprising if he was not set free with his toxic import, to kill Muslims. In Benue State, on Sunday, 19th February, 2013 four (4) persons, were arrested while trying to detonate explosives at the ST. Theresa’s Catholic Parish in Makurdi. The Leadership newspaper of Wednesday, 22nd February, 2012, at page 10, reported the Police PRO, Mr. Ejike as saying that the four terrorists arrested were Christians. But before the honest revelation, the members of the public had already jumped to the conclusion that they were Muslims.
The factual examples are just too many, but for the purpose of this Press Conference, I will conclude with two examples indicative of the international dimension of the deception and double standards of our CAN controlled SSS and the Police Force. On January 11th 2012, two Nigerians, Sunday Eze from Anambra State and one Samuel Taiwo from Ogun State with three other Ghanains were arrested in Ghana, with heavy weaponry, carefully concealed in a truck which was to be brought to Nigeria. The question to ask the Police, SSS and the Presidency is who were behind the order? Certainly not NSCIA, SCSN, JNI, NASFAT, MSS, NACOMYO, MURIC OR UMMAH. While Opposing the bail of the terrorists in court on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 the office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Ghana said “the arms and ammunitions seized on transit to Nigeria were to be used to fuel terrorists activities in Nigeria”. Which terrorist groups are they that the Nigerian Government, the Police and SSS are protecting? It must surely be the bigger, better armed, well financed and protected Government/CAN Boko Haram.
Finally, on specific factual examples, was a BBC news report published by THISDAY Newspaper of Friday, 13th January, 2012 on page 6, on a British arms dealer, Gary Hyde being prosecuted in a London court for unlawfully arranging the shipment of about 80,000 guns and 32Million rounds of ammunition from China to Nigeria in 2007. Obviously, it was not meant for Muslim terrorists, because if it was, the BBC, CNN and the Nigerian Media would have kept harping on it. As for the Presidency, SSS, the Police and our Armed Forces, this event never happened.
It appears a good number of Nigerians are afflicted by amnesia, but keen observers would recall that a few years ago, a systematic robbery of the armory of the Nigerian Army in Jaji, the 1st division of the Nigerian Army Kaduna, Ikeja cantonment and many other Military formations was widely reported, involving Christian serving Officers and Generals. A Military inquiry was instituted and many Christian Officers, serving and retired including the Late General Azazi, were indicted, but nothing was done to any of them. More importantly, were are the arms? May be they were given to one Boko Haram or another! What about the report of the Military Inquiry?
Gentlemen of the press, there are just too many questions begging for answers from the Presidency, the SSS, the Police and the Military high Command. The Presidency is definitely involved in the cover ups and double standards, for why would the President, rush to absolve MENDS from the first terrorist act involving massive bombs in Nigeria, on October 1st, 2009 even before the commencement of any investigation and attribute it to Muslim Leaders? Why would the Commander in Chief, order the Director General of SSS to publicly, in Church, grant a pardon to a Christian terrorist group, OMBATSE, of Nasarawa State, who slaughtered over 80 mobile policemen and 10 SSS operatives? Let any fair minded person imagine what would have happened if it was a group in Kano, Katsina, or any Muslims were behind what OMBATSE did! As for the double standards of the SSS; it seems to be a part of their training or culture, to provide excuses and explanations for any Christian unfortunate to be caught in a terrorist activity. The Eggon Christian tribesman of the Minister of Information (and Defence!) who was also caught red handed with arms at the Federal Ministry of Information, readily comes to mind. The SSS Spokeswoman explained off this security breach as a non-issue, since it was not a Muslim that was involved.
Recent Mass Massacre of Muslims
The Sunday Trust Newspaper of 20th October, 2013 revealed that the JTF had dumped 3,335 corpse, in Maiduguri Hospital mortuary, the toll for only 6 months, January to June, 2013. Incontrovertible evidence further revealed that an average of not less than 12 young Muslims were massacred every day during the period, at the Maiduguri Military Barracks alone! In January, 94 were killed, 61 in February, 218 in March, 200 in April, 161 in May and 233. This total figure does not include thousands killed in their homes, in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kano. To the Nigerian Government and its security agencies, the blood of a Muslim is not worth more than a mosquito.
In 2009, after series of denials by the Police and SSS of extra judicial massacre of Muslims in Maiduguri, ALJAZEERA aired a video clip that revealed the monstrous evil committed. In spite of the outcry and the clear evidence including the identity of the perpetrators, the matter has been conveniently swept under the carpet. The Apo six murderers who happened to be Muslims were however promptly apprehended, dismissed and prosecuted with unprecedented swiftness. But the most recent Apo 9 murderers are yet to be apprehended, why? because the poor souls were hated Muslims.
Disproportionate Recruitments into all Govt. Services, especially, the SSS, Armed Forces and the Police
As a result of the non-challance of Muslim leaders, especially in the last 15 years, recruitments into key parastatals and agencies, especially the SSS, NIA, the Police, the Armed Forces and even paramilitary agencies, have been systematically skewed to favour Christians, with massive expulsion and wholesale retirement of Muslims. Our Council had cause to bring this issue to the public domain and even involved the Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs and the JNI, with an advertorial and a petition on the matter handed to President Obasanjo in 2005 by the Late Sultan. Almost 10 years later, the lopsidedness in the recruitment has become even more brazen. The recent recruitment into the SSS officer corp, the latest of which graduated from their Training school in Lagos about a month ago, showed for example, Kano had 6, Kebbi and Sokoto had 3 each, while Rivers State had 38 and Akwa Ibom had 40. In addition, most of those from Kaduna, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Gombe , Ogun, Oyo and Oshun States were predominantly Christians.
At the Zaria Army depot, where other ranks of the Army are trained, over 11,000 were recruited and trained in the last 3 years, and Christian constitutes a big majority. Just last week, about 40 Muslim trainee recruits at the Zaria Army Depot were expelled, with no explanation, a few weeks before the end of their training. The records of recruitment into the officer corps of the Armed Forces at the NDA, had for over 20 years now been skewed to favour Christians. The most recent list of recruitment into the 65th regular course of the NDA is typical of what has been going on for years; Kaduna had 3 Muslims and 11 Christians, Adamawa 4 Muslims, 9 Christians, Taraba 3 Muslims 10 Christians, with Borno faring a little better with 7 Muslims and Six Christians. There have been many cases of Christians given slots in Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara and even Sokoto, but you will never, find a Muslim name in Benue, South East and South South.
This is a very serious issue that must be remedied, because the series of religious/ethnic crises are further compounded by the disproportionate representation of Muslims in the SSS, the Police and the Armed Forces. For example, the authoritative Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a damming report on the last major religious crisis in Jos, indicted the Mobile Police for singling out Muslims for massacre. It cited more than a dozen incidents in which mainly Muslims were rounded up and gunned down. In one incident, 44 Muslims were shot in firing squad style.
It also listed seven separate incidents of arbitrary killings in which 47 Muslims were shot by Military men. Of Course, the HRW appeal for a probe of the Mobile Police was disregarded. Their report concluded with the recommendation,:- The HRW reported concluded that -
“The probe of the Mobile Police should go beyond its role in the Jos crisis to unearth its recruitment policy, numerical strength and the religious affiliations of its officers and men”. It added that –
“Unless the roles played by the Mobile Police and fake (sic CAN) soldiers are properly investigated and the finding made public, other groups are likely to adopt similar methods in the nearest future”.
Earlier on, the then Police Commissioner in Kaduna State, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu, observed after the 2000 major religious crises, observed that unless the composition of the Police Force, which then was 80% Christians in Kaduna State was re-constituted, there would be no end to religious crises (page 24 New Nigerian newspaper of Wednesday, 2nd August 2000).
We therefore urge the Federal Government, the Nigerian Police, the Armed Forces and the SSS and NIA to come clean on these injustices with satisfactory explanations and assurance of fair play and transparency. Government at all levels, especially the Federal Government should note that there can never be peace without justice and no people, however complacent, can accept such excesses, without reacting. And unless the Federal Government is determined to push Nigerian Muslims to that stage, we demand immediate, transparent remedial actions.
Fellow Nigerians and gentlemen of the Press, how many people would believe that in the 21st Century, and for almost 10years, 80 Muslim women and girls are still being held as “booty” (ganima) dehumanized as sex slaves by Christians in Plateau State, since the Yelwan Shendam massacre of Muslims in 2004. All efforts to get the appropriate authorities to take immediate steps to secure their release and re-union with their families have fell on deaf ears. Our Council had held series of meetings with 3 Inspectors General of Police, 3 Directors General of SSS and the NSA all of whom were given petitions on the matter. As at 2004, over 200 such Muslim women and girls were involved, the Council was successful in securing the freedom of about 120, all victims of forced labour, rapes and emotional trauma. If this barbaric act had affected Christians, the Federal Government, and its security agencies would have ruthlessly swung into action with an International Press awash with the news.
It is evident that CAN and the Federal Government are poised to undermine Islam, for at every turn, every right of Muslims according to their faith is being opposed with threats borne out of blind hatred. The ethical system of banking, universally embraces, was opposed by CAN, Nigeria’s membership into the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was opposed for over 20years, until about Six years ago when the Obasanjo saw beyond religious bias, the benefits of joining IDB to the country. Still, the Governors of Oshun and Adamawa states are facing opposition in their plans to secure interest free long term developmental loans from the IDB, for no reasons other than irrational prejudice against anything Islamic. Christians, on the other hand, are not only free to practice every aspect of their faith, but can even pick and incorporate aspects of the Islamic faith convenient for them with the support of the Government; the annual trips on government sponsorship to Egypt, Israel and Rome in the name of pilgrimage, is an example.
In conclusion, while we call on Muslims to meticulously stick to the teachings of Islam on Peace, Justice, Compassion and truthfulness, we all know that everything human has a limit. The fact is the patience of Muslims who have been systematically brutalized, stigmatized, marginalized and pauperized , been severely tested and overstretched. We therefore call on all people of conscience to stand up for the truth against such glaring injustices, otherwise we all know it is a fact of life that every act has a consequence, good or bad. We therefore want the Federal Government to know that it is no longer acceptable for the rights of Muslims to be abridged or annulled, while Christians in Nigeria have an unfettered right to do as they wish.
============================= =================================
DR. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, OFR Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, mni
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
By
By
Damilola Oyedele
28 Sep 2013
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
By
By
Damilola Oyedele
28 Sep 2013
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
Unveiling Northern Communities With Zero Maternal/Infant Mortality
By
By
Damilola Oyedele
28 Sep 2013
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
With just about two per cent of global population, Nigeria contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality. The North has the highest rate with Katsina State having one of the highest due to its top ranking in the area of teenage pregnancies. But there are communities in the state that are now marking two years of zero maternal and infant mortality. Damilola Oyedele recently toured several remote villages in Katsina where DFID/Norway Government intervention is making a huge difference in the lives of mothers, especially teenage mothers.
Angwar Agage is about two hours drive from Katsina’s capital city into its hinterland. Without electricity or even the most basic form of sophistication, it is home to about 6000 people with over 3000 families. Ikilima Abubakar delivered her fourth child 12 days ago at a health facility in the next village Tandama, which is less than a kilometre away. Unlike her previous three pregnancies, the 20 year old mother attended Ante Natal Classes (ANC).
“This delivery was different from my previous ones where I delivered the children at home. At the facility, the matron assisted me, encouraged me and gave me and my baby treatments. I had benefitted from the PRRINN safe pregnancy plan discussions so I quickly recognised the labour signs and walked to the facility immediately I started feeling the pains,” she told this reporter in Hausa language.
Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunisation in Northern Nigeria, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative (PRRINN-MNCH) started as PRINN in 2007 in Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara States solely funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom to boost routine immunisation of children in the states. Due to the successes recorded, the Norwegian government came on board and added the maternal health component.
Ikilima’s friend and age mate, Jamila Bala, is a mother of six children, who under the tutelage of PRRINN – MNCH has learnt how to take better care of her children and household. She told THISDAY that her children now hardly fall ill as she feeds them with the proper nutrition and takes them for routine immunisation.
Angwar Agage recently celebrated two years without a single maternal or infant death.
These women, who can be classified as teenage mothers have benefitted from the intervention of the PRRINN project. The project works to educate young women especially teenage mothers to recognise signs of danger in pregnancy to avoid complications during and after childbirth. This, it achieves by setting up a Young Women Support Group (YWSG) where under the guidance of a Local Engagement Consultant (LEC), the members hold weekly meetings to discuss their pregnancies, motherhood, nutrition, hygiene and issues that affect them in their communities. Mentors are also selected from among the young women.
Zainab Kabir, 26, while attending one of these meetings in Tandama had realised that the ailment she was secretly battling with were actually the signs of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). She had foul discharges from her private part which continued for a long time as the local herbs she was self medicating with did not seem to work. She had no idea what the ailment was and she resigned herself to fate especially after her husband from her eight year old marriage decided he would marry another wife.
After the meeting, she quietly beckoned to the LEC and explained the symptoms she was experiencing. The LEC and the mentor from the group arranged for her to be taken to a health facility where she received treatment. Her husband, Kabir was also invited and he also underwent the course of treatment. Kabir cancelled the impending marriage to a new wife after he saw his wife was cured. Zainab credits the project with saving her marriage; she is now a mentor in one of the four YWSG in her community.
The successes of the YWSG can actually be attributed to the collaboration of the men in these conservative communities where the permission of the husband is sought even before a woman can be taken to a health facility.
The men are trained by PRINN-MNCH on how to recognise signs of anaemia in their pregnant wives. Working with the lead Community Volunteers in their communities, they are taught how to carry pregnant women in times of emergency to a health facility. In the communities where there is easier access to tricycles, they are taught how to transport pregnant women. The men in these community are also blood donors and after a random sampling, THISDAY confirmed that almost every man in these communities knew what his blood group is; they are always ready to donate blood when there tis need for it.
THISDAY gathered that when a pregnant woman is being taken to a health facility, between four to six men follow her, and proudly present themselves as her blood donors. Working with cultural and religious leaders due to the sensibilities of the people, PRINN-MNCH has worked to erase suspicions associated with donating blood.
Gizawa Community, under Dutsanma Local Government is also about to roll out the drums to mark two years without a single maternal or infant death. A lead community volunteer, Mallam Ibrahim Nuhu told THISDAY that there has rarely been the need to donate blood to any woman in recent times because the signs of anaemia are recognizable to the men and the women.
“We know that we should take a pregnant woman to the hospital immediately we see signs of anaemia. We know what foods to encourage her to eat to increase her blood ahead of delivery. So, even though we all know our blood group and are present at the hospital when our women are giving birth, we have not had the need to donate blood in a long time”, he said.
In the community, THISDAY encountered Sahura, 15, and her husband Abubakar Kala, 25, who both used to work as labourers. Married for three years with two children, the couple said Sahura’s participation in the YWSG, where the members also contribute money to help one another, has changed their lives.
She was given a loan of N2000 by the group and bought a local noodles making machine. She generated N4500 from the business, repaid her loan and after a while gave her husband N2000 to hawk cheap jewellery from a portable show glass. She later sold the noodles machine and bought a second hand sewing machine.
“Sahura now patches clothes for people; she would soon go and learn how to sew from the scratch. I no longer have to work as a labourer. Her participation in PRRINN has changed us; she takes better care of the children and the house now. After seeing what she benefitted, I joined the community volunteers group of the men where we are blood donors and participate in emergency transport of pregnant women in the community. PRRINN has brought us closer and we have peace in my family,” Abubakar proudly told THISDAY.
Most children in the community are participating in both Islamic and Western education, THISDAY gathered.
The project also works with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide Emergency Transport Services (ETS) for the pregnant women in labour. The Secretary General of the union in Funtua Bus Park, Mallam Masaudu Naira told THISDAY that the bus drivers when called upon by any community to render this special service only charge for the cost of petrol without intent for profit. Masaudu is also a facilitator for the ETS training.
PRRINN MNCH does not pay any stipends or incentives to their volunteers in the community. The project got the people involved through education, enlightenment and advocacy using the traditional and religious leaders in the communities. The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) who preside over the young women’s groups are junior level health workers and they are paid by the local governments. The Lower Level Facilitators (LLF), who are educated have their salaries paid by PRRINN. They reside in the communities or very close to the communities to allow easy access by the teenage mothers. They can also treat minor ailments, cuts, colds, check foetus positions in pregnancy, and refer to health facilities. They also follow up to ensure that the mothers comply with treatment procedures and medication dosages.
In Ruwan Godiya community, PRINN MNCH hcommunity has complemented the efforts of the community who strove to develop their local health care system. The community built a facility and bought an ambulance for transportation of their sick to more equipped facilities in Funtua.
The Chairman of the Facility Health Committee, Alhaji Lawal Garba, disclosed that the staff members in the facility were trained by PRRINN MNCH who also provided the solar panels to power the facility, solar freezers for storage of immunisation drugs, and equipment in the maternity ward and labour room.
The community, like the others, is set to mark two years without a single maternal or infant health related death. It has a population of about 12000 people.
The lab attendant, although he could barely speak English, proudly showed this reporter his equipment used to ascertain blood groups, and screen for HIV and hepatitis before clearing donated blood for transfusion.
The District Head of Maska, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Maska, in an interview said many groups have brought interventions to the community, the impact of PRRINN MNCH has however been felt the most.
He disclosed that he, with other traditional rulers, has been actively involved in sensitizing the people on the need for routine immunisation and ensuring that the women deliver in health facilities and not at home as used to be the practice.
“People used to complain that there were no drugs at the old facilities. But now things are different; we let them know that PRINN facilities are different because since they provide drugs at subsidized rates, they are not looking to make profit. The records of all patients are available at the facilities and you can verify that we have reduced maternal and infant death drastically,” he said.
“Of course, some people are stubborn and I have to threaten them before they allow their wives go for treatment,” he admitted.
When asked whether he receives any form of incentive from PRRINN for being a part of the project, he responded “What more incentive do I need other than our people not dying in childbirth like we used to experience?”
The State Team Manager of PRRINN MCNH, Katsina, Dr. Usman Musa Matazu, said it was easy to replicate the PRRINN model in all communities in Nigeria and drastically reduce the rate of infant and maternal mortality in the country.
He described as a ‘major feat’ for any community in sub-Saharan Africa to be able to celebrate two years without a single maternal and infant mortality with just the most basic facilities.
“We do not give money to anyone, because if we adopt that method, the people would stop doing whatever they were instructed to do once the money stops. Once the people are convinced and adequately sensitized, they are able to take care of themselves; some people in these communities used to think a pregnant woman having swollen legs is a good sign,” he said.
Matazu added that simple interventions are more successful than hyped programmes where the beneficiaries are directly involved in the processes.
Nigeria, at just two per cent of the world’s almost seven billion people, contributes 10 per cent of the world’s maternal and infant mortality rates; Nigeria’s Adolescent Birth Rate Stands at 121 per 1000 live births. Katsina state has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant deaths due to its top ranking in the rate of teenage pregnancies. According to the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the state has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 65 per cent.
While the governments at all levels continue to work to reduce the rate of maternal and infant mortality, simple models used by PRRINN through adequate community engagement would assist in taking the country off the high point of the global mortality index.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Partnership for reviving routine immunization in Northern Nigeria; how Agage community became a success story in community health
Partnership for reviving routine immunization in
Northern Nigeria; how Agage community became a success story in community
health
By Kabir Isa Bala.
The Partnership for the Reviving Routine
Immunization in Northern Nigeria (PRRINN), was initiated as a child of necessity
when the clouds surrounding the National Programme on Immunization (NPI), became
thick in northern Nigeria. Acceptance of the programme was then a serious
challenge at both national and international level. Subsequently, the programme
was extended to the care and well being of the mother before, during and after
pregnancy as well building the capacity of related medical personnel and
providing the required modern equipment in the clinics.
Four States selected for the programme are
Katsina Jigawa, Yoba and Zamfara States.
In Katsina as in the other three States, PRRINN
works with the State, Local government and selected communities o achieve the
goals of the programme.
One of
those communities among many enlisted for the programme is the Agage Commnuity
in Danja Local Government Area. Research conducted prior to the involvement of
PRRINN in the area, indicated that the community lacks the common knowledge of
the importance of hospitals as it relates to healthy living.
Prior to their enlistment and due to their
illiteracy level, they hardly go to hospital or clinics. To them, tradition or
local herbs are enough to treat illnesses. The men among them practiced life
time farming while the women were without any sources of generating income.
Alh. Salihu Abdullahi, the village Head of Agage
described how the community was, before PRRINN. He said, “Opting for hospitals
or clinics is expensive and we are very poor. Sometimes, when tradition
medicine fails to treat an ailment, we can only resolve to prayer. In extreme
cases, one has to sell his belongings like portion of your farm; this is
unfortunate. If it is very consequential, others do sell the cows they use in
ploughing”; he lamented.
Of course, disposing such valuables is most
unfortunate. While some may have something to rely or fall back on, to others
such as Abdullahi Dayaro, a widower who does not own a farm or even any domestic
animal, he labours everyday to feed the three children left by his late wife.
He recalls how, due to poverty, his wife died after a prolonged labour: “My wife
labored for three days. I tried my best in giving her local herbs which I
believe help in quick delivery. We tried to borrow money in vain. My
neighbors advised that I should take her to hospital, but my humiliation was
lack of money. And it was in the middle of the night, and the clinic is not
near our village. You know I tried to raise money.
I looked for a menial job, but couldn’t get. I
was desperate and there was nothing I could do though. Eventually, she passed
away at about 4 a.m. on the third day. “He said, almost in tears, that two of
Danyaro’s daughters are of school age but neither school nor the money for books
and uniforms was available. Danyaro said, western education is for boys and
does not bother not having the means to educate is for girls. 
Access to healthcare is a major challenge to
Agage community. The people’s attitude to modern medicine is a contributing
factor. This has led to high maternal morbidity and child mortality; the
PRRINN initiative therefore, became imperative. The need arose to reverse the
prevalent trend.
The Agage Commnuity in Danjo Local Government
Area with a population of about three hundred households has immensely benefited
from the PRRINN initiative, at least in the last two years. Series of
activities were introduced towards achieving change as well establishing small
economic activities while also strengthening the health system. The community
has not had any maternal morbidity or child death. In fact, the community has
had no any case of childhood illnesses. Of course, these remarkable
achievements were all courtesy of the PRRINN initiative.
Women of all ages were encouraged to cooperate
among themselves through the formation of associations such as the young women
groups with each having a peculiarity of either being first times in pregnancy
or all timers in maternal stages. Even older ones among them that have daughter
in laws are now in groups. With the acquired skills in pomade making or Izal
antiseptic making or the skills in preparing juices and making of different
seasoning, the Young Women Association are now empowered to contribute to the
upkeep of the family. The Agage Community is currently planning to celebrate
these achievements of self advancement in health, businesses and cordiality
between spouses.
Indeed, it has been two years of peace and
happiness in the Agage Community. Magaji Tandamo, Alh. Ahamed Abubakar while
enumerating the activities of PRRINN in his domain said he is glad that the
Agage Community is now an ideal community. People now know that self help
spirit they learned from the initiative has brought a lot of blessings to
them. He said, “The Initiative has provided a well equipped maternity room for
safe delivery of babies and mother care. This is good since government cannot
now provide all the needs of its people. Similarly, there is now availability
of free drugs at least those that are urgently needed in deliveries and post
natal.
The husband does not have to go far or out of the
clinic to purchase necessary drugs. Again, there are quality drugs when you are
to purchase those that are not free. There are also nurses and matrons 24 hours
in our hospital; I understand too that PRRINN has been training and retraining
these personnel to improve their capacity. You should know that now, no one has
to go to either Katsina or Funtua to access qualified nurse but now they are
living with us. This is an achievement”; he concluded.
The
public relations officer of the management committee of the Tandama Maternal and
Child Hospital, Mal. Idris Dahiru who accompanied this writer to conduct
interviews, said that the community was able to overcome the challenges and
accept to work with PRRINN after series of enlightenment campaign and
sensitizations. Dahiru said that at a time, he was called names but he ignored
such. “When I first heard of PRRINN in Funtua training, one of the speakers, a
white lady we called Susan, was the one that told me that they were concerned
with Africa not for anything but for the fact that if they allow disease to
persist in Africa, their own continent may one day be infested. I reasoned with
her position and since then, have vowed to work towards the success of the
programme in my area.” The PRO said, since then, he has been educating people
at every social gathering or in market place or worship centers.
According to him, “See now those calling me names
are now sorry. Some were able to come up to me to apologize. And, some are now
among the most active members of our community”; he said.
Muntari Abba, 32, is the leader of the group that
donates blood on demand. He said, they decided with his peers to form the Blood
Donors Association after realizing that in most cases, pregnant women often
require blood. “Most times, we go to clinic with women who are in labor; the
hospital people would say she needs blood and the rigor of getting the right
blood group and the willingness of someone to give out is a harrowing experience
to me. You know my daughter almost died because at a time she was so ill and I
was away in Lagos then. The nurse said she needed blood and there was no one to
give the blood. When they telephoned me, I told them to dispose of up to two
bags of soya bean to buy blood for her. Thank God, they bought it in Funtua and
she was treated with it.”
Muntari further said a number of cases requiring
blood transfusion benefited from the Association. He said, from time to time, a
hospital staff would come and they would gather around him. “He advises us to
eat well. It is from him that I know what a balanced diet is and am always
happy to donate blood. I am lucky too that am in group O, a general
donor.”
The Agage Blood Donors Association has 16 members
who are able bodied men. They offer blood free of charge and are available
every time, day or night.
A visit to the Tandama Hospital paid up, as
pregnancy women were seen dancing to a song sang in unison with a facilitator.
As the facilitator sings and demonstrate, so do the women. My understating is
that the songs were on the danger signs of labour. The day was Wednesday and an
anti-natal visiting day. The women about 20 in number were between the ages of
18 and 25. Hauwa Ahmad is one of them and probably the youngest. She told me
that she regularly attends her ante-natal clinic because her husband has given
her a sort of blanket approval to attend. She said, he is equally interested in
what goes on after every visit. I discussed freely with him. He knows my daily
requirement very well and the need for me to remain healthy. In my first
pregnancy, it was difficult for me because his mother would not allow that. It
is always drink this or rub this on your tummy or feet. But, when the PRRINN
team visited from Danjanku, I was lucky to be attending ante-natal clinic. With
all the stories you here about disease after birth, one would feel lucky to
deliver in hospital, supervised by qualified personnel. Only Allah would reward
PRRINN officers”; she prayed.
Hauwa counted other benefits she derived from the
initiative: “I am now slightly engaged in preparing juice or “Kunun aya”. It is
easy to prepare; and sales are remarkable. In fact, sometimes I save enough
money to buy items for my baby. By the way, my pregnancy is 7 ½ months”;
(Laughter). Aunty Asma’u Lawal was the local facilitator and instructor at
the ante-natal clinic. I asked her how she feels counseling women older than
her, even though she is still unmarried. “I am conscious of the fact that I am
just about 22years old and some of these women are of my mother’s age. But, you
see, I find joy in making corrections and improving the wellness of people. I
also know that this is a golden opportunity for me in the sense that when
eventually I get married and become a mother too, my husband and children would
have the best wife and mother respectively”; she proudly said.
Asma’u confided, “How do you expect I should pay
back what PRRINN has done to me. I am engaged and working since 2007. I have
attended several capacity training and workshops uncountable times. My
qualification and most importantly my perception of people needing healthcare
services, make me feel complete and almost fulfilled as a person. I am indeed
grateful to PRRINN and I shall continue to advance humanity with the little
knowledge I have acquired”; Asma’u declared.
So as the Agage community prepares to celebrate
two years of total wellness, it is worth saying that the reality of the day is
that government alone cannot provide for all the needs of the people; herein
lies the need for the people, the community, the government, you and I to take
up the challenges in promoting healthy living through attitudinal change by
whatever means or calling we are engaged in. Cheers to Agage Community.
Kabir Isa Bala sent in this piece
from the Federal Information Centre, Katsina.
Monday, February 4, 2013
How one man-one bike policy is paying in Kano with much to do!
How one man-one bike policy is paying in Kano with much to do!FromMusa Abdullahi SufiOn the 24th January, 2013 Kano State Government banned all motorbike users from carrying more than one person till further notice. The government decision was from the recommendation from the security agencies working to protect the lives and properties in the state.If the recommendation from the JTF and related are based on informed decision that can help saving the lives of Kanawa, residents and restore the peace in the state is a welcome development. Moreover, especially if it will brings a situation where Muslims worships freely as major segment in the state and the indigenes and non indigenes Christians etc, enjoys daily lives without threats. Also, government needs to be committed to look at workable strategy that can help people in the state enjoy easy, accessible and affordable transport system as the major transport system is reviewed temporarily.Before that day, there were extensive speculations that it is impossible as people will turn out massively to protest against it. Already the media houses across Nigeria and the world gets ready with their trumpet with some expects negative consequences might unfold during the event no matter how tiny to mould it as bigger story. Luckily for Kanawa nothing negatively unfold but positive which I will talk about later in the piece.Although opposition parties are at the forefront politicizing the issue to a greater extent, the CSOs were so organize to write a communique and forward to government to show their stand on the issue including some recommendation of options for Achaba (going, express, kabu-kabu) and the likes. In fact for CSOs unlike the oppositions they are ready to be involved in the aspect of registration of motorbike users as their voluntary work to support the state. The government already appreciate their efforts and invited them for discussions.On this issue, I recalled a conversation with one medical Dr in Katsina who returned from UK recently after concluding his masters. He entirely condemned the step took by the government and describe it as anti poor and the country using the usual model of just returned from abroad character. However, in order to balance his point of view I asked him on what he thinks the government should do in a situation where more than 99% of the attacks and killings in the state are through the use of motorbikes with more than one person on each bike. Once they arrived, they fired and zoom off. His response was " I cannot say anything till Iconducted a research before knowing what to recommend."I am motorbike (power and mountain bikes) rider for long and short distance, and in fact I am also a victim of the ban as well. It is evident that the number of motorbikes not for commercial might tripled those for commercial in the state. Thus, the policy is not made for Achaba but all users as it affects Lifan (Tsuntsun Soyayya) and other non commercial users.An interactive chat with Dr (name withheld) few weeks ago has different perception about the issue. He appears not happy with the policy not because some people will loose jobs but he forecast loosing his hundreds of customers. According to him "as a private practitioners if people walks a lot they are going to be much healthier and active." He added, "look at British citizens, Americans and even in Saudi Arabians walk down to bus stations and many places; they are far better than us in fitness. But here everyone eats mostly unhealthy and no exercises. Just imagine these few weeks the number of sick clients is down to my care."To get wider picture of the debate I visited some hospitals in my home town Kano and discovered there is sharp reduction of motorbike accidents related cases across the state through verbak interactions and hospital registers. Speaking with Igbo nurse under anonymity mentioned "most of our motorbikes victims are now are old patients before the one man-one bike policy. This is good because, before the ban at least 10 terrible cases per day from motorbikes users but today in most cases one a day without." She said.
According to Yahuza Baba on the issue he said " today the situation is interesting. Why, because, that the killing by gunmen is halt and some of the Achaba riders are now using Keke NAPEP to look for a living. Honestly, there are some youths worriedly sitting redundant since they have no options."Mr Yahuza added that " people who are extremely criticizing government on the ban are quite today as people continue to go about their normal businesses. I was against the policy earlier but later see justification and I pray for this government to do much better as this initiative is brilliant although painful as it helps improves the security and peace in the state.Malam Abba, a Religious leader call upon the government and the JTF to reduce the hardship residents are still facing through pushing motorbikes at checkpoints. In his words "since the government bring the policy of not more than one person on motorbikes then it sound illogical for a one person to stop and push the bike" He therefore pledge by saying "please government should to allow people to pass with their motorbikes and it is very important to reduce the checkpoints due to hardship people are deeply in."Although understanding the security challenges in the country is becoming very controversial at least to common man like me; but I believe fighting corruption, justice, hard work, understanding religion, research, forgiveness, objective criticism, loving your neighbor and many more as displayed or instructed by the holy prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAW). These will go along way to unite, trust and support each other by destroying the bad habit of generalization and interpreting individual habits to his general tribe or religion. Thus, lasting peace prevail.Conclusively, while the population of motorbike users is very high in the state and the medium being use to increase insecurity, distorts peace, kills and wound many settlers in the state. However, already some of the Achaba riders are changing theirs livelihood options which is an opportunity for government to explore. The CSOs and other developmental forums and influentials needs to be on board in developing strategies-bottom up approach to come up with the lasting solutions beneath the tip of an iceberg to eradicate poverty through empowerment and employment generation and improve education among others.Let me at this juncture thanks almighty Allah that saved our loving emir Alhaji Dr Ado Bayero who was attacked last month. Our prayers to those who lost their lives during the attack and all the other attacks in Kano, Northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole. May Allah restore peace and development in Kano and Nigeria as a whole. Amin.Musa Abdulllahi Sufi wrote while traveling.Musa Abdullahi SufiKano, Nigeriar"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results."-Winston Churchill.
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