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UNICEF Urges women To Shun Home Child Delivery

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged women to shun giving birth to children at home so as to enhance their chances of survival during and after delivery.

Mr Oluseyi Olosunde, UNICEF’s Health Officer, Bauchi Field Office, made the call on Wednesday in Gombe state while presenting a paper titled the Optics of Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) in a media dialogue to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD).

According to him, it was high time women were empowered to improve maternal, child health and reduce maternal and child mortality rate.

Olosunde explained that in some Northern states, six out of 10 delivery takes place at home while in others 8 out of 10 delivery takes place at home, exposing such children to risks of child mortality with absence of qualified health practitioners and facilities.

“The more we empower women, the better results we’ll get in health as it would reduce both maternal and child mortality and other health issues.

“Child delivery at home poses serious danger to the mother and the baby in case of any breach during labour as the home lacks the necessary equipment to detect the problem with a view to tackling it,” he said.

He also advocated for proper education of women by stakeholders on health related matters right from conception till the point of delivery, most especially in the rural areas where there were more child mortality rates.

The UNICEF Health Officer added that when a woman is educated, the chance that her child would survive is higher than the one who is not

He called on all health stakeholders including journalists to help build women’s capacity every now and then by telling them about dangers in pregnancy, how to manage their breast while breastfeeding, among others.

The Media Dialogue drew media practitioners from the Bauchi UNICEF Field Office Comprising of Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau states.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.