60% children multi-dimensionally poor in Niger – UNICEF

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF,) has said that over 60% of children in Niger state are multi-dimensionally poor  while only10% of mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding in the state.

The UNICEF stated this in the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) reports presented to the Niger state government in Minna.

Presenting the report, the UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Kaduna Donald Norris represented by a medical expert, Dr Idris Baba, stated that MICS data showed that the learning achievement situation in the state has improved.

He urged the state government to tackle the situation.

Receiving the report, the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, directed Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to proffer options for prompt interventions  in the situation through policy and programmes.

The governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ahmed Ibrahim Matane expressed concern over areas the state was not doing well according to the report.

“We should pay deserved attention to areas like open defecation, water and sanitation, maternal and mortality and out of school children,” he said.

He explained that data is a reflection of who or where you are which must be adopted to ensure interventions by government. 

He said, “I want to assure that government will make use of 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) report as a guide to take crucial decisions to safe lives of under age, open defecation among others.”