From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa State First Lady Hajiya Hadiza Umar Namadi has called on Jigawa citizens to support effort of campaign against diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) which is meant for severe malnourished children.
Hajiya Hadiza made the call when she received the team of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) at government house Dutse.
She explained that, it is unfortunate that the state government with support of UNICEF purchased RUTF worth million of Naira meant for treatment of sick and severe malnourished children but diverted and sold in market.
“It has come to my attention that RUTF provided by the State and partners like UNICEF which is meant for treatment of our sick and severe malnourished children is being diverted and sold in markets, shops and even homes. This breaks my heart as a mother”, she said.
According to her, RUTF is not ordinary food; it is life saving medicine and it most always remain free for the children who need it most, adding that one cartoon of RUTF saves one child’s live, when it diverted or miss use a child may die and no mother deserve that pain, no community Community should carrythat loss.
“We must stand together to stop this wrong doing and report any one selling or buying RUTF where ever you see it, so that no child will suffers or dies because of help is stolen from them”, she said.
The First Lady then called women, husbands, Neighbours and all stakeholders to protect and ensure the safety of this life-saving food.
While delivering his remarks during the visit, the State Director National Orientation Agency NOA, Ahmed Tijjani Ibrahim said, the team from NOA with support of UNICEF paid the advocacy visit to her excellency with aims to support the campaign on fight against diversion and vandalization of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food RUTF in the state.
He then, Commended governor Malam Umar Namadi for his support to NOA in its efforts to inform and educate the citizens about government policies and programs.
