Niger Govt Promises To Partner With NGOs For Development Of The State

Chinwendu Nnadozie-Minna

Niger state government has expressed preparedness to support partners and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with a genuine intent to support the health sector and the general well-being of the entire citizens.

State Head of Civil Service (HoS), Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, gave the assurance when he granted audience to members of the CS-SSUN led by the Co-Chairman and Secretary Committee CS-SSUN Abuja office, Aji R. Robinson, on an advocacy visit in his office, along Okada road, Minna, on Tuesday.

The HoS told his guests who had requested that nutrition desks be set up in ministries, boards and parastatals for the overall benefits to the entire Nigerlites.

Abubakar Sadiq assured Aji Robinson and her team that the administration led by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is committed to the overall well-being of the populace, particularly in the areas of nutrition and healthy diet intake for sound health.

On the request that full salaries be paid to lactating mothers during 6 months maternity leave, as already approved by the state government, the Head of Service affirmed the administration’s commitment to taking steps that would guarantee proper care for nursing mothers and their babies.

Sadiq further pointed out that, “As a government, we’re not only interested in the nutrition, but in the general well-being of our daughters, their proper upbringing, even to the point of getting married”.

It is due to genuine concerns for the proper dieting and general care of especially civil servants that the Governor encouraged workers, women in particular, to engage in home gardening for proper nutrition.

Aji Robinson and her team, who also visited the Deputy Speaker Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. Affiniki Eunice Dauda and the House Committee Chairman on Health, had earlier said they were in Niger state on an advocacy visit.

While commending the Niger state government for approving six months maternity leave with full salaries, Aji said, making it mandatory for chairmen of the 25 Local Government Areas to have women as their Vice chairmen were a clear indication that Governor Bago is gender friendly.

In addition, Aji said she’s happy that the state government not only approved the setting up of nutrition desks and departments in ministries, but that issues of mother and child nutrition is captured in the state budget for proper growth and development of future leaders.