NIGERIA HAS 7.3 MILLION ORPHANS - JONATHAN

PHOTO: PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN RECEIVES A FRAMED PORTRAIT OF HIMSELF FROM BENUE STATE GOVERNOR, GABRIEL SUSWAN WHILE VICE PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO RELISHES THE MOMENT DURING THE BENUE STATE DELEGATION VISIT TO THE VILLA TODAY.

ABUJA, May 27, (THEWILL) - Nigeria is burdened by a large army of orphans and vulnerable children estimated at 17.5 million, out of which 7.3 million are orphans.

President Goodluck Jonathan made this disclosure on Thursday in an address at the 2010 International Children’s Day Celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The President lamented that children orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS pandemic are especially vulnerable as the disease primarily affects adults of childbearing age.

Dr. Jonathan reiterated that parenting abilities of the population for caring for/and nurturing the children is greatly affected, thereby impacting negatively on the survival, development and protection rights of our children.

The President who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed called for provision of health services at all tiers of our society.

He reiterated that the provision of the health services is the responsibility of the Federal, State and Local Governments in collaboration with the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

"This therefore, means that the power to dramatically improve the health and nutrition of our mothers and children lies in our collective action," he added.

The President urged Nigerian parents, especially the mothers to adopt good feeding practices that are important in ensuring adequate nutrition for infants and young children including early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding.

Dr. Jonathan enjoined mothers to imbibe a good maternal eating pattern for their health as well as the well being of their babies.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Partnering for improved nutrition for mother and child."

Welcoming guest to the occasion, the FCT Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh stated that recently, the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Senator Bala Mohammed distributed fertilizer and other farming implements to farmers to boost their farming yields and enable them take care of themselves and their children.

According to her, the Secretariat is working out modalities to sensitize the public against the discrimination and stigmatization of children living with HIV/AIDS.