Liverpool Can Win Premier League -Mourinho
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Casillas reveals condition for Real Madrid exit
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Saturday, 28 December 2013
Three killed in Bayelsa road accident
Three killed in Bayelsa road accident
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China formally abolishes one-child policy.
China formally abolishes one-child policy.
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Street Carnival And The Building Of Cultis
Street Carnival And The Building Of Cultism
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By Olajide,A. Shuaib
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Friday, 27 December 2013
Python Kills Security Guard In Indonesia
Python Kills Security Guard In Indonesia
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CAN NIGERIA PRODUCE 'A MADIBA' ?
CAN NIGERIA PRODUCE 'A MADIBA' ?
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The Girl I Met Who Combined Prostitution With Disability
The Girl I Met Who Combined Prostitution With Disability
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Nigerians Killed In Abroad In Year 2013
Soldiers killed Poly student at checkpoint in Katsina
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10 legal giants to defend PDP governors defected to APC
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Stop intimidating Jonathan -S’South leaders caution Obasanjo
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N30bn 2014 irrigation projects: S/West short-changed •North -80% •SS/SE -18% •S/West -2%
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OBJ’s letter: I was a victim of persecution —Al-Mustapha
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Nigerian Killed In Abroad In Year 2013
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Brazil flooding, landslide death toll hits 44
Brazil flooding, landslide death toll hits 44
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Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Davido releases pictures of N140million mansion
Davido
Davido has always been known for showing off all his fancy items like custom-made watches, necklaces and his many cars but now the ‘Omo Baba Olowo’ has given his fans more reason to be wowed.
The 20year old singer recently showed-off a glimpse of his crib when he posted a pic mix photo of the mansion on twitter with the caption, ‘OBO mansion. Dreams come true! I remember my room back in Babcock. Small ass f**k. See what 2years & hard work gets you! #Dreamchasers!! We just getting started.’
Davido compares his amazing crib with his little room back at Babcock University where he was pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Since his explosion on the music scene, it has become unclear if the youngster is still interested in completing his education as sources confirm that he has quit school for now.
It was only last year September that Davido bought the mansion located in Lekki Phase 1 and relocated from his billionaire father’s home also in Lekki.
It didn’t take long after his debut single ‘Back When’ for the singer to join the millionaires club and make it to the A-list status. After dropping his highly successful album in 2012, Davido’s popularity skyrocketed making him one of the most loved pop artistes of today
Saudi preacher sentenced to 8 years, 600 lashes for killing 5-year-old daughter
A Saudi court in the town
of Hawta found Fayhan al-Ghamdi guilty on Monday, Mohammed Almadi of
Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Commission told CNN.
"The girl's mother ceded
her original request to sentence the father to death," explained Almadi,
citing a lawyer for his group who was in the courtroom. "She has since
asked for the father to pay her blood money instead, which is her right
in the Saudi legal system."
Growing anger over girl's horrific death
CNN was unable to reach Saudi Arabia's Justice Ministry for comment.
Al-Ghamdi's daughter,
Lama, was admitted to King Saud Hospital in Riyadh in March 2012 after
suffering extensive injuries, including broken ribs, a crushed skull,
bruising and burns. Family, activists and officials say she died of her
wounds in late October last year.
The case caused international outrage once it made headlines in February.
"My dear child is dead,
and all I want now is justice so I can close my eyes and know she didn't
die in vain," the mother, Syeda Mohammed Ali, told CNN in February.
"She was brutally tortured in the most shocking ways."
Ali, who is divorced from
al-Ghamdi, said Lama's torture occurred while she was staying with her
father. She added that al-Ghamdi is now remarried with two more
children.
Activists say al-Ghamdi
is an Islamist evangelist popular in Saudi Arabia for his televised
appearances and for speaking on air about the rewards of repenting to
God. But they also say he only fancies himself a cleric and is not
recognized by the clerical establishment.
In a conservative country where the death penalty is common, Saudi social media users were quick to express disgust at the news.
"What kind of verdict is this?" tweeted one.
"This is not justice," tweeted another.
Some pointed out what
they called a travesty -- that killing Lama garnered al-Ghamdi a
punishment similar to that received by a Saudi activist, Raif Badawi,
who was recently sentenced to seven years in jail and 600 lashes. Badawi
was convicted of violating the nation's anti-cybercrime law by running
an unauthorized Web forum.
Other Saudi Twitter
users expressed anger by comparing al-Ghamdi's verdict to another recent
Saudi case -- one in which it was reported that four Saudi men accused
of dancing naked on the roof of a car and posting a video of the
incident online were sentenced to as many as 2,000 lashes and up to 10
years in prison, as well as being fined thousands of dollars.
"Somebody who kills his
daughter gets eight years in prison but somebody who pulls down their
underwear gets 10 years in jail!" wrote one.
Attempts to reach al-Ghamdi and his lawyer via activists and government officials have been unsuccessful.
Several activists and
numerous local media had reported that Lama was also raped, but her
mother denied that happened. Ali said that Lama's father was concerned
about the virginity of his 5-year-old daughter.
"The father confessed to
the abuse, the beating and torturing Lama in the most obnoxious
manners," she said last February. One thing she said he did was to burn
Lama's rectum.
"These are not some
unfounded accusations, but everything is based on the medical
examination by the hospital and the team of physicians who treated Lama
when she was first admitted," she said.
Obama Dare Boehner To Prove Claim
After weeks of near
silence without any hint of a potential compromise between the Obama
administration and congressional Republicans over raising the nation's
debt ceiling, the White House may be offering some conciliatory language
that could help lead to a deal to prevent a potential default on
October 17.
As recently as Friday,
White House officials declined to specify any demand for the length of a
deal to increase the nation's debt ceiling.
Then on Monday, a White House official said it was up to Congress to decide how long the debt ceiling increase should last.
"It is up to Congress to
pass a debt limit increase, and up to them for how long and when they
want to deal with this again," the official told CNN. "We have been
super clear we think longer is better because it lends more certainty."
With parts of the
government shut down for a week and counting, the focus of ending a
deepening political stalemate is shifting to the upcoming deadline to
increase how much the federal government can borrow. The reference to
the length of a debt ceiling deal caused speculation that the White
House might be signaling flexibility on the issue to legislators.
However, President Barack
Obama reiterated Monday that he will not negotiate with Congress while
the country was under threat of a possible debt default.
"We're not going to
establish that pattern," Obama said, adding that "we're not going to
negotiate under the threat of a prolonged shutdown until Republicans get
100% of what they want" or under the threat of "economic catastrophe."
White House spokesman Jay
Carney later told reporters that "I'm not ruling out" a debt ceiling
increase of any particular length of time. But he said he believed a
longer one was better, because it would provide certainty after what
Obama characterized as "manufactured crises" over similar brinksmanship
in recent years.
"Our position is only
that it ought not to be a political football, because it's a dangerous
political football," Carney said. "And you know, fumbling that football
can cost you a lot more than seven points. It can tank the economy."
Economists warn of dire
fiscal impacts from failing to raise what is called the debt ceiling,
such as a reduced U.S. credit rating that would spike borrowing costs.
The economic blow and questions about America's fiscal fidelity could
bring a global slowdown, Obama has warned.
Analysts blamed concerns
over the political impasse for another down day on Wall Street. All
three major stock indexes fell, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average
losing 136 points, or nearly 1 percent.
House Speaker John
Boehner said Sunday there will be no debt limit increase and no end to
the partial government shutdown that began October 1, unless Obama and
Senate Democrats negotiate a broader agreement with House Republicans.
On Monday, he repeated
his accusation that Obama was refusing to hold talks with Republicans,
even with the looming threat of a default.
"The American people
expect that when their leaders have differences and we are in a time of
crisis that we will sit down and at least have a conversation," Boehner
said, adding that "it is time to have that conversation before our
economy is put further at risk."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell later said divided government means the two parties have to negotiate solutions.
"Until Senate Democrats accept that reality, these crises will only be harder to resolve," McConnell, R-Kentucky, said.
However, one of Obama's
top economic advisers, Gene Sperling, told a Politico breakfast on
Monday that "the era of threatening default has to be over."
"If you sanction through
negotiation the legitimacy of somebody threatening default, then that
is going to happen over and over again," Sperling said. "So sanctioning
negotiations with someone threatening default is not going to end the
risk of default. It is likely to increase the chances that we as a
country eventually default or even perpetually threaten our full faith
and credit."
At issue is how to reach
an agreement to fund the government in the newly started fiscal year
and raise the $16.7 trillion debt limit.
Conservative Republicans
intent on shrinking the government while trying to weaken Obamacare
demand that any agreement on funding for the new fiscal year and raising
the debt limit include their priorities.
"The debt ceiling is
there for a purpose. It's like the smoke alarm," said House Financial
Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas. "Democrats want to
unplug the smoke alarm, and Republicans want to go out and fight the
fire."
Boehner insisted that a
deal to raise the debt ceiling must include deficit reduction steps that
would lower costs of entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid
and Social Security.
However, he appeared to
move away from the demand of the tea party conservative wing of his GOP
caucus to dismantle or defund Obama's signature health care reforms
passed by Democrats in 2010 and upheld by the Supreme Court last year.
"My goal here is to have
a serious conversation about those things that are driving the deficit
and driving the debt up," Boehner said, noting that the retirement of
the "baby boomer" generation will strain Social Security and Medicare
beyond the breaking point if no remedial steps are taken.
"It is time to deal with
America's problems," he said. "How can you raise the debt limit and do
nothing about the underlying problem?"
Obama and Democratic
leaders in Congress insist that such congressional responsibilities --
to keep the government running and able to pay its debts -- must be free
of partisan political pressure to avoid the kind of collateral damage
happening in the current stalemate.
They want what are known
as "clean" measures to fund the government for a short period and
increase the debt limit, with no accompanying provisions involving
contentious deficit reduction measures or GOP efforts to weaken
Obamacare.
Once such measures are
passed, they say, negotiations can take place on a full budget for
fiscal year 2014 that began on October 1 and other issues such as
reducing spending on entitlement programs like Medicare, Medicaid and
Social Security.
Last week, a House
Republican said on condition of not being identified that Boehner told
GOP colleagues in private meetings he would not allow a government
default to occur. But Boehner sounded more combative on Sunday, saying
Obama and Senate Democrats refused to negotiate on either a spending
plan to end the shutdown or the debt ceiling.
Senate Democrats are
expected this week to take up a debt ceiling bill that would not propose
any policy changes or spending cuts demanded by Republicans, according
to a Senate Democratic leadership aide.
The aide said Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid could introduce a "clean" bill as early as
Monday that could bring a first key procedural vote on Friday.
On the shutdown, Boehner
insisted Obama and Democrats were wrong in saying a "clean" short-term
spending plan to reopen the government would pass in the House with
support from some Republicans and most Democrats.
"There are not the votes in the House to pass a clean CR," Boehner said.
Obama rejected Boehner's contention on Monday, saying the speaker "should prove it" by holding the vote.
"My very strong
suspicion is there are enough votes there," Obama said, adding that
Boehner "apparently doesn't want to see the government shutdown end ...
unless he's able to extract concessions that don't have anything to do
with the budget."
Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid suggested the measure would pass the House, and that
Americans would realize the government was shut down "for no apparent
reason." Both Obama and Reid said Democrats were open to negotiate
"anything" -- with the president specifically mentioning health care --
once the government shutdown ends and the debt ceiling gets increased.
House Republicans, however, fear losing their leverage in any talks by giving up those two points without any concessions.
In a new national poll
released Monday, most respondents said the government shutdown was
causing a crisis or major problems for the country.
While the CNN/ORC
International survey also indicated that slightly more people were angry
at Republicans than Democrats or Obama for the shutdown, both sides
were taking a hit.
According to the poll
conducted over the weekend, 63% of respondents said they were angry at
the Republicans for the way they have handled the shutdown, while 57%
expressed anger at Democrats and 53% at Obama.
"It looks like there is
more than enough blame to go around and both parties are being hurt by
the shutdown," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.
Meanwhile, Treasury
Secretary Jack Lew said on CNN's State of the Union that the government
risks more than its credit rating if the debt ceiling is not increased
by October 17. He dismissed suggestions that the government could avoid
default by making only interest payments, saying Social Security
payments and veteran's benefits could be endangered.
"It's very dangerous, it's reckless," Lew said.
If Congress fails to
raise the debt ceiling, borrowing money to meet the nation's obligations
won't be possible, CNNMoney's Jeanne Sahadi reported Monday.
Instead, Sahadi
reported, lawmakers would have a few options to choose from that would
have to be implemented right away -- cut government spending for the
military and other discretionary programs by up to 33% every month; cut
mandatory spending such as entitlement programs by 16% every month, and
raising taxes by up to 12% every month.
Man, 37, to hang for killing step-daughter
A Talata Mafara High Court in Zamfara, yesterday, sentenced one Abdullahi Abubakar, 37, to death by hanging for the murder of his step-daughter.
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/man-37-hang-killing-step-daughter/#sthash.YKohPUp6.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/man-37-hang-killing-step-daughter/#sthash.YKohPUp6.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/man-37-hang-killing-step-daughter/#sthash.YKohPUp6.dpuf
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
Man, 37, to hang for killing step-daughter
A Talata
Mafara High Court in Zamfara, yesterday, sentenced one Abdullahi
Abubakar, 37, to death by hanging for the murder of his step-daughter.
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
Man, 37, to hang for killing step-daughter
A Talata
Mafara High Court in Zamfara, yesterday, sentenced one Abdullahi
Abubakar, 37, to death by hanging for the murder of his step-daughter.
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
Man, 37, to hang for killing step-daughter
A Talata
Mafara High Court in Zamfara, yesterday, sentenced one Abdullahi
Abubakar, 37, to death by hanging for the murder of his step-daughter.
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
The convict, of Tungar-miya village in the Talata Mafara Local Government Area, was arraigned in August 2008 for putting a poisonous substance, suspected to be Germaline, in his step-daughter’s food, which led to her death.
Justice Bello Gummi said the court was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence as confessed by him in a statement.
Gummi said the convict intentionally and with the knowledge that death or grievous bodily injury would be the probable consequence of his action, poisoned his step-daughter, Suwaiba.
Justice Bello held: “The court, therefore, finds and holds that the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused person as charged.
“I accordingly sentence you to death and you will be hung by the neck until you die. This judgment is subject to confirmation by the state governor.”
Counsel to the convict, Mr. Benn Ezza, said the judgment came to them as a surprise.
He said: “We will study the judgment and establish the next line of action.”
Monday, 16 September 2013
Jonathan, aggrieved governors reached no truce
The meeting held at the Aso Rock presidential villa Abuja between 4p.m. and 11 p.m.as
Read more at;
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Libya weapons smuggled into Syria: United Nations
The
UN Security Council's committee on Libyan sanctions says caches of
weapons and ammunition left over in the African country after the
collapse of slain dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, are being smuggled into
Syria.
The committee reported to the Council on Monday of "an increasing number of reported cases of trafficking of arms and ammunition from Libya to the Syrian Arab Republic by sea and air."
Read more at;
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Saturday, 7 September 2013
Lagos Transportation Commissioner, Opeifa Disgraced By Activists
Lagos Commissioner for Public Transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa, got more
than he bargained for as he strayed into Gani Fawehinmi 'Night of
Tributes' occasion organized to commemorate the death of the late
radical lawyer and advocate for the masses, Chief Gani Fawehinmi in
Lagos.
Read more at
www.umpirepost.com.ng
Court Sends Female Lawyer, 6 Others To Prison For Robbery
By: GEORGE OKOJIE on September 7, 2013 - 4:17am
A
female law graduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been
remanded in prison custody along with six other members of her gang by
Magistrate A.O. Komolafe of the Magistrates’ Court, Ikeja for alleged
robbery.
The female law graduate identified as Chioma Ezekwesiri, 35, allegedly led a seven-man robbery gang to rob a man lodged in Bolatito Hotel, located around Kola Bus Stop in Ijaiye area of Lagos.
Other suspected members of the gang arrested by the police are Amadi Igwe, 41, Raymond Chukwuka, 24, Ignatius Okeredi, 27, Michael Madu, 52, and Okechukwu Jerome, 28, and a yet-to-be identified member now on the run.
They were charged with robbery, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. The police said it was after conclusion of investigation on the case by its officers that they took them to court.
According to police, “We received a distress call from a staff of Bolatito Hotel, who said they suspected some people around the hotel.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad moved in, surrounded the place and demanded to search everybody.
“It was in the process that two guns and 12 live ammunition were recovered in Chioma’s car. This led to the arrest of all her gang members,”
Speaking with journalists Chioma said it was not a robbery matter, adding that she merely arranged for the guns with one Raymond Chukwuka, also known as Stubborn, which they were to use for the operation on a land tussle.
Chioma said she graduated from UNILAG in 1999 and was called to the Bar in 2000, and owns a non-governmental organisation, Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association.
In a reaction, a top official of the university debunked her claims s, saying she has to quote her matriculation number to prove that she graduated from that institution.
The chairman of Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association, Mr. J.E. Joshua, said Chioma is not the founder of the association, adding that she only participated in a charity programme with them.
The female law graduate identified as Chioma Ezekwesiri, 35, allegedly led a seven-man robbery gang to rob a man lodged in Bolatito Hotel, located around Kola Bus Stop in Ijaiye area of Lagos.
Other suspected members of the gang arrested by the police are Amadi Igwe, 41, Raymond Chukwuka, 24, Ignatius Okeredi, 27, Michael Madu, 52, and Okechukwu Jerome, 28, and a yet-to-be identified member now on the run.
They were charged with robbery, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. The police said it was after conclusion of investigation on the case by its officers that they took them to court.
According to police, “We received a distress call from a staff of Bolatito Hotel, who said they suspected some people around the hotel.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad moved in, surrounded the place and demanded to search everybody.
“It was in the process that two guns and 12 live ammunition were recovered in Chioma’s car. This led to the arrest of all her gang members,”
Speaking with journalists Chioma said it was not a robbery matter, adding that she merely arranged for the guns with one Raymond Chukwuka, also known as Stubborn, which they were to use for the operation on a land tussle.
Chioma said she graduated from UNILAG in 1999 and was called to the Bar in 2000, and owns a non-governmental organisation, Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association.
In a reaction, a top official of the university debunked her claims s, saying she has to quote her matriculation number to prove that she graduated from that institution.
The chairman of Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association, Mr. J.E. Joshua, said Chioma is not the founder of the association, adding that she only participated in a charity programme with them.
Court Sends Female Lawyer, 6 Others To Prison For Robbery
By: GEORGE OKOJIE on September 7, 2013 - 4:17am
A
female law graduate from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been
remanded in prison custody along with six other members of her gang by
Magistrate A.O. Komolafe of the Magistrates’ Court, Ikeja for alleged
robbery.
The female law graduate identified as Chioma Ezekwesiri, 35, allegedly led a seven-man robbery gang to rob a man lodged in Bolatito Hotel, located around Kola Bus Stop in Ijaiye area of Lagos.
Other suspected members of the gang arrested by the police are Amadi Igwe, 41, Raymond Chukwuka, 24, Ignatius Okeredi, 27, Michael Madu, 52, and Okechukwu Jerome, 28, and a yet-to-be identified member now on the run.
They were charged with robbery, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. The police said it was after conclusion of investigation on the case by its officers that they took them to court.
According to police, “We received a distress call from a staff of Bolatito Hotel, who said they suspected some people around the hotel.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad moved in, surrounded the place and demanded to search everybody.
“It was in the process that two guns and 12 live ammunition were recovered in Chioma’s car. This led to the arrest of all her gang members,”
Speaking with journalists Chioma said it was not a robbery matter, adding that she merely arranged for the guns with one Raymond Chukwuka, also known as Stubborn, which they were to use for the operation on a land tussle.
Chioma said she graduated from UNILAG in 1999 and was called to the Bar in 2000, and owns a non-governmental organisation, Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association.
In a reaction, a top official of the university debunked her claims s, saying she has to quote her matriculation number to prove that she graduated from that institution.
The chairman of Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association, Mr. J.E. Joshua, said Chioma is not the founder of the association, adding that she only participated in a charity programme with them.
The female law graduate identified as Chioma Ezekwesiri, 35, allegedly led a seven-man robbery gang to rob a man lodged in Bolatito Hotel, located around Kola Bus Stop in Ijaiye area of Lagos.
Other suspected members of the gang arrested by the police are Amadi Igwe, 41, Raymond Chukwuka, 24, Ignatius Okeredi, 27, Michael Madu, 52, and Okechukwu Jerome, 28, and a yet-to-be identified member now on the run.
They were charged with robbery, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. The police said it was after conclusion of investigation on the case by its officers that they took them to court.
According to police, “We received a distress call from a staff of Bolatito Hotel, who said they suspected some people around the hotel.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad moved in, surrounded the place and demanded to search everybody.
“It was in the process that two guns and 12 live ammunition were recovered in Chioma’s car. This led to the arrest of all her gang members,”
Speaking with journalists Chioma said it was not a robbery matter, adding that she merely arranged for the guns with one Raymond Chukwuka, also known as Stubborn, which they were to use for the operation on a land tussle.
Chioma said she graduated from UNILAG in 1999 and was called to the Bar in 2000, and owns a non-governmental organisation, Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association.
In a reaction, a top official of the university debunked her claims s, saying she has to quote her matriculation number to prove that she graduated from that institution.
The chairman of Youth of All Nations Empowerment Association, Mr. J.E. Joshua, said Chioma is not the founder of the association, adding that she only participated in a charity programme with them.
Neymar will laern from Messi -Ronaldo
The Real Madrid Forwarder Christiano Ronaldo believes that the Brazilian wonder kid Neymar is not yet at the same level as the Argentine Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, but backed him to make big strides in EuropeThe Brazilian legend
Read more on
http://umpirepost.com.ng/neymar-will-le…-messi-ronaldo/
Obama fails to rally international support for his war plans against Syria
Monday, 12 August 2013
Al-Qaeda may free extremist inmates
A suspected al-Qaeda militant at the state security court of appeals in Sana’a, Yemen
Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:6AM GMT
0
The
United States closed 19 of its embassies and consulates across the
Middle East and sent home some staff in Yemen after communication was
intercepted between al-Qaeda leaders, Nasser al-Wuhayshi and Ayman
al-Zawahri.
The
leader of al-Qaeda’s Yemen-based offshoot says the group will soon
release jailed extremist militants, days after the United States closed
missions in several countries across the Middle East.
Nasser al-Wuhayshi made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday on a website used by militants, Reuters reported.
Al-Wuhayshi did not mention how the prisoners would be released.
The authenticity of the statement could not immediately be verified.
Al-Qaeda militants staged at least two prison breaks in late July in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
On July 23, al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for deadly attacks on two major prisons in Baghdad and the nearby town of Taji that freed hundreds of militants.
On July 27, more than 1,000 inmates escaped from a prison on the outskirts of Benghazi in Libya following an attack on the facility. However, it was not clear who was behind the attack.
The United States closed 19 of its embassies and consulates across the Middle East and sent home some staff in Yemen after communication was intercepted between al-Qaeda leaders, al-Wuhayshi and Ayman al-Zawahri.
In addition, the United States has stepped up its drone operations in Yemen over the past few years.
The United States says the CIA-run drone strikes primarily kill al-Qaeda militants, but casualty figures show that Yemeni civilians are often the victims of the attacks.
Many Women Still Don’t Breastfeed —Report
By: WINIFRED OGBEBO on August 12, 2013 - 4:09am
Many women still don’t breastfeed despite the much confirmed benefits, reports have found. Winifred Ogbebo writes.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Many Women Still Don’t Breastfeed —Report
By: WINIFRED OGBEBO on August 12, 2013 - 4:09am
Many women still don’t breastfeed despite the much confirmed benefits, reports have found. Winifred Ogbebo writes.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Many Women Still Don’t Breastfeed —Report
By: WINIFRED OGBEBO on August 12, 2013 - 4:09am
Many women still don’t breastfeed despite the much confirmed benefits, reports have found. Winifred Ogbebo writes.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Many Women Still Don’t Breastfeed —Report
By: WINIFRED OGBEBO on August 12, 2013 - 4:09am
Many women still don’t breastfeed despite the much confirmed benefits, reports have found. Winifred Ogbebo writes.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Many Women Still Don’t Breastfeed —Report
By: WINIFRED OGBEBO on August 12, 2013 - 4:09am
Many women still don’t breastfeed despite the much confirmed benefits, reports have found. Winifred Ogbebo writes.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
Breast milk gives infants all the nutrients they need for healthy development.
Experts say that it is safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, the two primary causes of child mortality worldwide.
In addition, breast milk is readily available and affordable, which helps to ensure that infants get adequate nutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deputy executive director, Geeta Rao Gupta, said that there is no other single health intervention that has such a high impact for babies and mothers as breastfeeding and which costs so little for governments.
She said, “Breastfeeding is a baby’s first immunization and the most effective and inexpensive life-saver ever.”
“Children who are exclusively breastfed are 14 times more likely to survive the first six months of life than non-breastfed children. Starting breastfeeding in the first day after birth can reduce the risk of new-born death by up to 45 per cent.”
Breastfeeding also supports a child’s ability to learn and helps prevent obesity and chronic diseases later in life.
Recent studies in the United States and United Kingdom point to large health care savings resulting from breastfeeding, given that breastfed children fall ill much less often than non-breastfed children.
Apart from the benefits to the baby, mothers who breastfeed exclusively are, according to medical experts, less likely to become pregnant in the first six months following delivery, recover faster from giving birth, and return to their pre-pregnancy weight sooner.
Evidence shows that they experience less post-partum depression and also have a lower risk of ovarian and breast cancers later in life.
However, UNICEF notes that despite these well documented benefits of breastfeeding worldwide, only 39 per cent of children aged less than six months were exclusively breastfed in 2012.
According to the global agency, this global figure has improved very little for the past several decades, due in part to large countries where the breastfeeding rate is low and to the general lack of a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.
UNICEF observed that Nigeria has made no improvement over many years, while some of the lowest rates in the world are in Somalia, Chad and South Africa.
However, says a statement by the UNICEF communications specialist, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, countries with supportive policies and comprehensive programmes that reach all communities have been able to increase their breastfeeding rates significantly.
He said China, which recently attracted media attention because its strong consumer demand for baby formula caused shortages in other countries, has an exclusive breastfeeding rate of only 28 per cent.
Njoku said that in a bid to boost such low rates in the world’s most populous country, UNICEF and the National Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health in May launched a “10m2of Love” campaign to locate, register, certify and publicize breastfeeding rooms in order to raise awareness and support for breastfeeding.
“The campaign has established a web portal (unicef.cn/10m2) where any organization can register breastfeeding rooms for staff, patrons or customers that adhere to simple international standards. A mobile phone application to map the locations of all 10m2of Love facilities is under development.”
Cambodia has had notable success in raising exclusive breastfeeding rates from 11.7 per cent of infants less than six months in 2000 to a very high 74 per cent in 2010. Togo and
Zambia also increased the rates from 10 and 20 per cent respectively in the late 1990s to over 60 per cent by 2000.
At the other end of the scale, Tunisia’s exclusive breastfeeding rate fell dramatically from 46.5 per cent in 2000 to only 6.2 per cent by the end of the decade, while the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia is declining.
The communications specialist noted that such examples reflect insufficient global leadership on breastfeeding, as it continues to be undervalued relative to its importance in the life of child.
“There needs to be higher prioritization and commitment, targeted policies and greater consensus to engage the world in promoting this life-saving and vital practice.”
Similarly, the World Health Organisation also stated that only 37 countries, or 19 per cent of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
“Full implementation of the Code is vital for reducing or eliminating all forms of promotion of breast-milk substitutes, including direct and indirect promotion to pregnant women and mothers of infants and young children,” said Dr Carmen Casanovas, breastfeeding expert with WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development Casanovas.
“WHO supports countries with implementation and monitoring of the Code and the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition” which aims to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for six months to at least 50% by 2025.”
This year, the WHO has called for more support for breastfeeding mothers, creating graphics detailing what mothers, fathers, family/friends and the workplace can do to increase support.
“Nearly all mothers are physically able to breastfeed and will do so if they have accurate information and support,” said Casanovas, “But in many cases, women are discouraged from doing so, and are misled to believe that they are giving their children a better start in life by buying commercial substitutes.”
According to the WHO, mothers are often inundated with incorrect and biased information both directly, through advertising, health claims, information packs and sales representatives, and indirectly through the public health system.
“For example, distribution of educational materials on breastfeeding produced by manufacturers of infant formula have a negative impact on exclusive breastfeeding especially on mothers of first-born children and those with less formal education. The distribution of samples of infant formula also has an adverse impact on breastfeeding.
Njoku stated that although breastfeeding is natural and may seem instinctive, it is essential to create an enabling environment for it to become the norm.
“Mothers benefit from the help of skilled health providers and community workers to support them to breastfeed, as well as culturally-sensitive communication, and protective laws and policies, particularly around the marketing of breastmilk substitutes and maternity leave,” said he.
Implementation of the Code
Only 37 of the 199 countries (19%) reporting to WHO on implementation of the Code have passed laws reflecting all of its recommendations. For example:
69 countries (35 per cent) fully prohibit advertising of breast-milk substitutes;
62 (31 per cent) completely prohibit free samples or low-cost supplies for health services;
64 (32 per cent) completely prohibit gifts of any kind from relevant manufacturers to health workers;
83 (42 per cent) require a message about the superiority of breastfeeding on breast-milk substitute labels;
Only 45 countries (23 per cent) report having a functioning implementation and monitoring system.
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