The Emir of Kano HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II undertook an Outreach mobilization visit to Ajingi Town, headquarters of Ajingi LGA on Sunday 19th November 2017. This is part of the activities of the Traditional Rulers for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria project being executed by the development Research & Projects Centre (dRPC) and the Kano Emirate Council Committee for Health (KECCoH) with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
The majority of the participants for the event, which lasted three hours, were community members but also included traditional leaders, and health service providers from the various wards of the Local Government. Also in attendance were the state Commissioner for health and other Government officials from the state Ministry of health and from the Local Government as well as Development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, EU SIGHN, CHAI, NPHCDA/SPHCDA. Some of these officials delivered good will messages during the activity.
The Emir of Kano delivered the crucial speech with a message that focused on improved MNCH. The Emir called on the local leaders and the people to ensure that: –
- Every pregnant woman goes to hospital for her anti-natal care services (ANC) up to the time of delivery
- The new born child is taken to the hospital for routine immunization (RI) up to the age of nine months when the child gets measles vaccination.
- Girl Child education is made a priority of both Governments and the community and that no girl is denied full secondary education for whatever reasons.
The Emir went further to emphasize the importance of education for both boys and girls.
The Emir of Kano said no girl should be denied the opportunity to complete her secondary education for whatever reasons. “Every child has the right to a formal, quality education” he asserted. The Emir noted that due to a combination of factors, many girls are sometimes forced to leave schools while others never have the opportunity to go to school in the first place. This practice should not be allowed to continue, he emphasized. Government and people have to remember that, education transforms children especially girls for a better future of any society.
The Emir went further to say that, research has shown that, there is strong relationship or connection between Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Girl Child Education, because the more educated the women are the better the maternal and child health outcomes and the lower the maternal and child mortality rate in our community. The Emir underlined the role of community leaders, whose responsibility it is ensure that the health of our people becomes their our priority.
Finally, the district head of Ajingi thanked Mai Martaba the Emir for selecting Ajingi for his outreach visit and also appreciated the good turnout of the people that came to hear the Emir and his entourage.
