By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency Rev. Mrs Eyoawan Bassey Otu has flagged off the zero water campaign across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Addressing women political stakeholders at Danic Hotel Calabar, Mrs Otu said that: “I stand before you today with a resounding message of urgency and hope ”
She said in Cross River State, “We face both unique challenges and remarkable opportunities ”
According to her, the state has seen substantial progress in recent years but it’s essential to recognize that there is work yet to be done”
She advocated for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, saying it is a proven strategy to give our children the best start in Life.
“We must urge our government and stakeholders to prioritize investment in nutrition intervention ‘
In his remarks the Cross River State Commissioner of Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, said: “the event is the culmination of an enormous collective effort which began even before this administration”
According to him, the Nutrition indices for Cross River State show prevalence of 23 percent stunting 5 percent, 11.8 percent underweight in Children under five children ( NDHS20218) indicating chronic malnutrition in one out of every four children below the age of five.
“Infant mortality rate in Cross River State also stand at 64 deaths per 1000 live births and under 5 mortality rates”
“This event has the primary aim to increase investment in Breastfeeding rally political stakeholders and call on government to strengthen breastfeeding and Nutrition policies and programmes”.
Speaking to our correspondent members of the Cross River State House of Assembly Dr Mathins Achado, Chairman House Committee on Appropriation and deputy Chairman Women Affairs pledged total support for the Zero Water and Nutrition intervention in the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Cross River State House Committee on Women Affairs Hon. Rita Ayim representing Ogoja State Constituency pledged to support on zero Water campaign and Nutrition.
She said if the Ministry of Women Affairs and Appropriation brings the budget on zero water campaign and Nutrition intervention they will ensure that the budget is passed without any hindrance.
They were good will messages from WHO, UNICEF, Nutrition International CS, SUN, Federal Ministry of Health, .
Dr Etim Ayi Permanent Secretary CRSPHHCDA, who gave an overview of infant feeding practices in Cross River State. Mrs Ngozi Onura of UNICEF Breastfeeding Advocate Initiative.
A lecturer of University of Port-Hacourt, Professor Alice Nte gave an overview of zero water campaign advantages and benefits of zero water campaign.
The UNICEF Chief Field Office Enugu Mrs Juiet Chiuwe offered suggestions on way forward including strengthening policy provisions that supports maternity leave for 6 months in the public sector; increase funding for the implementation of maternal infant and young child Nutrition strategy to support social and behavioral change; Increase funding for zero Water campaign across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State.
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