Canadian High Commission to Nigeria, UNICEF Visits Dass Emir, Strengthen Ties
- By Murtala Muhammad
Canadian High Commission to Nigeria has reiterated readiness to sustain partnership with the traditional institution in Bauchi state towards promoting women’s participation in electoral processes, decision making and access to healthcare services.
It also recognizes the role being played by the traditional leaders in promoting the health of women and girls to address Gender Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, and Obstetrics Fistula, as well as other issues around females’ health.
The Head of Corporate Affairs of the Canadian High Commission to Nigeria, Djifa Ahado gave the indication when she led a delegation from from Global Affairs Canada and UNICEF on a visit to the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, in his palace.
Djifa Ahado said Canadian government was aware of the sacrificial services the traditional leaders in Nigeria and Africa in general were offering to better healthcare of women and girls, ensuring gender inclusion in governance and ending electoral violence against women.
Responding, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman who is also the Chairman, Bauchi State Emirates Committee On Health, BASECOH said their responsibility includes supportive supervision of disease surveillance activities, demand generation for health services and conducting action oriented meetings.
Alhaji Usman Othman said the Committee’s other roles were tracking of Antenatal Care attendance, Post Natal Care, routine immunisation defaulters, access to Child Spacing services and other reproductive health services to refer them to health facilities for proper care.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, represented by the State Health Educator, Ribado Mohammed said the objective of the visit was to express its gratitude to the traditional institution for its roles in changing the narrative of healthcare and other aspects of communal development.
The meeting witnessed goodwill messages and a presentation of gift to the Emir by the Team Lead Djifa Ahado.
