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Maternal Mortality: MMS Tackling Scourge —Bauchi Women Testify

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Some women in Bauchi state have testified that the introduction of the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) during antenatal care was a life saving medication reducing maternal mortality rate in the state.

Some of the women spoke with newsmen on Monday while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office led some journalists to observe the level of acceptance and testimonies from them.

According to them, the intake of the MMS has eliminated all sorts of fatigue, weaknesses and sickness that accompanied pregnancy making them feel less worried about the delivery day.

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A 26-year old Maryam Musa with nine months pregnancy, who explained that she initially felt reluctant taking the MMS drug due to its size and colour, said the acceptance of the drugs had greatly helped her and the pregnancy.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Records 75 Homicide Cases, 28 Kidnapping Cases, Others – Official

This is my first time having a baby and I’ve been taking MMS along with folic acid but the MMS is very effective because before I started using, I did fall sick but after the medication everything stopped.

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“I can feel the baby moving in my belly and I do all my house chores myself and I’m calling on all pregnant women to register for antenatal care because it’s very important to you as a mother and the baby,” she said.

She advised women who collect money from their husband, lying that the drugs were sold to them to desist, adding that their well-being and that of their baby should be their top priority.

Also, a first time physically challenged pregnant woman, Khadija Mai-Auduga who spoke through an interpreter, said even since she started taking the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements twice daily as prescribed, she hadn’t complained of anything so far.

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Mai-Auduga, who explained that her husband is also physically challenged, said he has been supportive of her antenatal care and the intake of the MMS because they wanted to have a healthy child.

READ ALSO:HIV: 29,874 Bauchi Residents Under Treatment, 650 Infants Recover From Infection – Commissioner

A mother of six Aisha Usman who acknowledged that she hadn’t taken the MMS before except during her last birth, said the baby came out differently from others.

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“I’ve never taken the MMS drugs until this last baby and I really enjoyed myself. The baby came out differently from the rest of the children. She is very healthy .

“I’m calling on all pregnant women to be taking that MMS because it’s very important for you, the mother and the baby.

“In fact the last one I had was a stillborn baby because I didn’t take any drug but this one came with no complication at all thanks to the MMS,” she said.

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Auwa Adamu, Head of facility,
Primary Healthcare Centre Kofar Ran, also referred to as Urban Maternity explained that those pregnant women without a trace of anemia were administered MMS only.

For those that have mild and moderate anemia, we give them the MMS plus the folic acid while we normally refer those with severe anemia for further management,” said Adamu.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Govt Procures 13 Tuberculosis X-ray Machines Worth $1.9m

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She said that the impact of MMS has been excellent as mothers have been looking more healthier and the babies delivered at the centre have been looking healthier as well.

Speaking with newsmen, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board (BSPHDB) said the MMS contained 13 mineral elements plus two folic acids geared to ensure that mothers got all the energy, vitality, and supplements needed for herself and her baby.

These supplements, he said, are capable of reducing maternal mortality, anemia which is also one of the causes of maternal mortality.

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Philomena Irene, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said that 134,280 bottles of MMS were provided to Bauchi State through UNICEF as part of the scale-up with support from the Kirk Foundation and training of the Health and community workers by Gates Foundation.

She added that UNICEF would continue to ensure that MMS is integrated into routine antenatal care, train frontline health workers and supervisors on counselling, side-effect management and adherence support.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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