SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY ARC MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO FNIA, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF KADUNA STATE ON THE OCCASION OF A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP ON MATERNAL MORTALITY REDUCTION, ORGANISED BY THE WIFE OF THE KADUNA STATE GOVERNOR, HAJIYA AMINA NAMADI SAMBO IN COLLABORATION WITH UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA) ON 9^TH OCTOBER 2008

PROTOCOL

        I wish to express my sincere appreciation for being invited to be the Guest of Honour at this very important event; the workshop on Maternal Mortality Reduction organized by Her Excellency, my jewel of inestimable value to borrow a leaf from the expressions of our late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

This workshop could not have come at a better time than now considering the determination of the Government to tackle the avoidable loss of lives of women at childbirth and to address squarely the issue of child rape that has become rampant nationwide.

The statistics available has juxtapose this reasoning and it is quite disheartening to observe the number of women who die or are incapacitated in the process of childbirth while children below the age of five have suddenly turned victims to rapists.

This sad situation even though it exists all over the country, is gradually taking a dangerous dimension here in the North such that if left unchecked could develop to a hydra-headed monster.

Inspite of these, however, we could take solace in the fact that influential women are now directing their energies positively since they occupy position of authority. They are generating the necessary awareness such as the current workshop to support Government efforts at addressing the problem.

To this end, I would like to commend the initiative of Her Excellency, Hajiya Turai Yar'adua wife of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alh Umaru Musa Yar'adua for initiating this important workshop at the National level as well as my wife Her Excellency Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo for responding promptly by organizing this all-important workshop through her pet project "I Care Women & Youths Initiative" in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the State.

I would like to assure the NGO under Her Excellency and the United Nations Population Fund of the support and cooperation of the Government and good people of Kaduna State towards achieving these set objectives.

As part of our keeping promises to the good people of the State, we, in  taking cognizance of the need to ensure safe motherhood and reduce infant mortality, have since the inception of this administration provided free medical care to Pregnant Women and Children under five years throughout the State.

I am happy to say that this effort of Government has tremendously reduced maternal and infant mortality in the State and I believe with further awareness as provided in this workshop and similar ones, the occurrences of the problem will be further reduced.

Furthermore, we hope to fight Malaria to a standstill, which result will ultimately be beneficial in arresting infant mortality.

The Kaduna State Government, in recognition of the importance of healthcare delivery to its citizens, is committing resources towards providing the best healthcare services throughout the State.

To this end, contract for the construction of a new state-of-the-art modern hospital has been awarded to Messrs Nahman Construction Ltd with a completion period of 30 months at the New Kaduna City layout, while maternal healthcare facilities is being strengthened at the Local Government levels

Government is also investing resources in preventive healthcare through the provision of free vaccination as well as the sanitation of the environment throughout the State.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Government and the people of Kaduna State, I would like to once again thank most sincerely the organizers of this important workshop and to formally declare this workshop open.

I wish the participants of the workshop successful and fruitful deliberations and journey mercies back to their respective destinations

Thank you and God Bless.  

Click - Go to Main Speech Pages>>