From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, the District Head of Gagi in Sokoto South Local Government Area of Sokoto State, says family planning is critical to addressing maternal and infant mortality, as well as socio-economic challenges and insecurity.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Sokoto, Jabbi, who is also the Sarkin Yakin Gagi, said the focus should be on quality of life and not just numbers.
“Almost everybody knows that the population of this country requires support and management. We don’t mind the number, but we are mindful of the quality of life.
“What we mean is pregnancy by choice, not pregnancy by accident. Women who want to space pregnancy should not suffer in getting access to modern contraception,” Jabbi said.
He commended Gov. Ahmed Aliyu for supporting family planning services, disclosing that the Governor released N30 million for family planning commodities in 2024 after advocacy.
“His Excellency was the best Governor in Sokoto, even last year alone we advocated with him for the first time and he released N30 million for family planning commodities.
“This year again, we went for advocacy and we are looking for the release of N150 million. Family planning is an essential element that will help address all forms of maternal and infant mortality,” he said.
Jabbi also commended the giant strides of Gov. Aliyu in the logical implementation of his 9-Point Smart Agenda.
According to the traditional ruler, the governor has done a lot in his invaluable efforts to bolster the health indices in the state better than when he took over the mantle of leadership in 2023.
He said adequate child spacing provides enough healthy time and resting period for the uterus of the mother, and warned that giving birth to children without adequate care makes them vulnerable to social vices.
“To end insecurity, we need to know the children we are giving birth to. We don’t mind the number. If you want, you give birth to 1,000 children, but you must ensure non-compromisable rights in education, healthcare and shelter,” Jabbi said.
“We are giving birth to children that we are not taking care of, they become victims of negative circumstances promoting social vices. You see the level at which we are producing banditry and extreme violence, which is not acceptable at all,” he added.
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