:Says the Council serves as a platform for collective action

The Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau on Wednesday said the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed prioritized nutrition as a key focus area with the allocation of significant resources to tackle malnutrition thereby improving nutrition outcomes.

Speaking at the inauguration of the State Council on Nutrition held at the conference hall of his office, Auwal Jatau said the present administration has on coming on board, embraced a multi-sectoral approach that spans agriculture, health, education, social welfare, and infrastructure development with the aim to create sustainable changes in communities.

In a statement by Muslim Lawal, Special Assistant Media to Bauchi State Deputy Governor said the fight against malnutrition requires sustained efforts and collaborations from all stakeholders to ensure that no child in the state falls victim to the preventable tragedy, hence the need to set up the Council to serve as a platform for collective action.

The Deputy Governor who is the chairman of the council, noted that, collective efforts will be crucial in formulating evidence-based strategies, coordinating activities, and driving progress towards achieving the nutrition’s goals by laying a strong foundation for the effective implementation of state-wide nutrition interventions, policies, and programs.

“Today marks a significant step towards our shared goal of addressing the challenges faced by our communities in relation to nutrition. Nutrition, as we are all aware, is not just a health issue, but a critical driver of development.

“In Bauchi State, we have seen the devastating effects of malnutrition on our communities, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. It is disheartening to witness the negative impact of this silent crisis on the future of our state. However, let us not lose hope. Today, we are here with a shared vision, focus and determination to tackle this challenges head-on and create a healthier and brighter future for our people.”

Auwal Jatau at the inauguration appreciated USAID, UNICEF and other development partners for their numerous interventions and support towards the overall development of the state through addressing challenges in critical areas of human survival and reaffirmed the readiness of the state government towards MoU obligations for better service delivery.

“This Council represents a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, experts, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Our commitment as a government goes beyond public speaking, it extends to concrete action. Together, let us make Bauchi State a shining example of a community that prioritizes nutrition and thrives as a result.”

In a key note address, the Assistant Country Director of the CARE International, Jennifer Orgle assured of the readiness and willingness of the organisation to continue to support the state government in the implementation of nutrition policies.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commended Katagum Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi state for attaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.

Katagum has now joined other seven LGAs of Dass, Warji, Shira, Gamawa, Bogoro, Ganjuwa and Toro, to have attained the ODF free status in the state.

Dr Clement Adams, the Officer in Charge of UNICEF, Bauchi Field Office, made the commendation in Azare, the Headquarters of Katagum LGA at the commemoration of the 2023 World Toilet Day.

He emphasised the importance for every household to have a toilet which could prevent outbreak of diseases and risk of lives by going into the bush to defecate.

“We have only eight out of the 20 LGAs in Bauchi state with Open Defecation Free status. We need to do more.

“We can do this through partnership. Here, the media plays a very critical role because their role is to help us educate the communities.

“As UNICEF, we can also do our part by making sure that we are reaching out to sensitise the public and create the necessary awareness,” he said.

Adams said that the media was a critical partner in the sensitising the communities on the need for ODF.

“If you don’t have a toilet in your house, you are endangering all the Nigerians that will have to look for a bush and are subjected to a lot of attacks like snake bite, diseases and so on,” he said.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Nuhu Zaki, said the state government.was committed to attain an open defecation free status across all the 20 LGAs by 2025.

Represented by the General Manager, Bauchi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Zaki said 5,934 communities were delivered open defecation free while Bauchi and Zaki LGAs were at the verge of becoming open defecation free.

“As one of the sustainability processes, the state government identified and trained private entrepreneurs on sanitation marketing for improved latrine construction in household and public places like markets and motor parks.

“Investors were trained on improved latrine construction both at household and public places across the state.

“As a result of the institutional formation and capacity building to the Toilet Business Owners, Masons and Toilet investors, 113,092 improved toilets were constructed across the state.

“I wish to extend the state government’s appreciation to UNICEF for its continued support to the people of Bauchi State particularly, women and children,” he said.

The Member Representing Bauchi Federal Constituency, Alhaji Aliyu Garu has donated 1,000 Sato Pans toilets to vulnerable households in his constituency in Bauchi State.

Garu stated this at the inauguration of the donation on Saturday in Bauchi, saying SATO pan is working meticulously to offer a better life and a brighter future for citizens.

He said SATO pan toilets will enhance sanitation services to stressed communities, thereby reducing their vulnerability to disease outbreaks

“Through innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions, for people living in rural and peri-urban areas.

“We aim to increase the uptake of sanitation products and ensure consistent use, creating local sanitation economies,” he said.

The lawmaker said the donation of the Sato pans toilets was a support from his partner’s Indorama fertilizer company to my constituency.

“Indorama donates 1,000 Sato pans to me as a support for onward distribution to the vulnerable households in my federal constituency Bauchi.

“The entire people of my constituency appreciate Indorama fertilizer company for the gesture.

“The Sato Pans toilets would be distributed across 20 wards of the Constituency, saying each ward would get 20 Sato pans toilets,” Garu Said.

On his part, Dr Abubakar Sani Indoroma representative in the North East said this was part of their efforts to support communities through partners.

“We have been doing business with the lawmaker for over 15 years so we feel it is high time to support his people through him.

“We are going to put 5000 Sato pans toilets into batches. We are starting with 1000, next will be 2500 and so forth,” he said.

Also Mr Sabo Adamu, General Manager State Rural Water Sanitation and Supply (RUWASSA) explained that Sato pans are a water-saving product, with less time fetching water and keeping up with sanitation and hygiene in water-stressed locations.

It saves 80% water compared to conventional flush toilets, blocks smell and flies, and also increases safety for children from falling into a pit latrine,

” It reduces odors and disease transmission from insects that come into contact with human waste. A safe toilet, alongside good hand hygiene.

The General Manager lauded the effort of the lawmaker on his efforts to end open defecation in his constituency and the entire state.