By Joe Udo
BIRNIN KEBBI (CONVERSEER) – Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has approved the immediate implementation of a six-month maternity leave for pregnant women in the state civil service, NAN reports.
Idris gave the approval on Tuesday during the launch of the Kebbi State Food and Nutrition Policy and the Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action on Nutrition (MSPAN) in Birnin Kebbi.
“The state government has approved the immediate implementation of a six-month maternity leave for pregnant women in the Kebbi State Civil Service. The government will forward a bill to the Kebbi State House of Assembly to enact a law backing this initiative,” the Governor said.
On tackling malnutrition, the governor said he had approved UNICEF’s funding request, directing the release of N500 million from the state government and N261 million from local government councils to support nutrition programmes.
“These funds are to be paid into the UNICEF-managed account to support nutrition programmes for malnourished children. I am directing the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the release of the N261 million already captured in the budget by this Friday. Similarly, the Commissioner for Finance should release the N500 million to UNICEF for the same purpose,” he said.
Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving child nutrition, ensuring food security, and promoting access to nutritious food to enhance citizens’ quality of life.
Speaking at the event, Mr Michael Jumah, Head of UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, represented by Isah Ibrahim, said the funds would be used to procure multiple micronutrient supplements, small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements and ready-to-use therapeutic food.
“These items will help prevent and treat malnutrition across the state, as together, we can eradicate malnutrition in Kebbi,” he said.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Abba Sani-Kalgo, commended the governor for his commitment to food security and nutrition in the state.
