*NIGERIA WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR IN AFRICA TO MITIGATE MATERNAL/CHILD MORTALITY AND CHILD MALNUTRITION IN THE REGION.*

According to 2021 UNICEF Data on maternal and child mortality, nearly half of all deaths in children under 5 are attributable to undernutrition in developing countries. Undernutrition puts children at greater risk of dying from common infections, increases the frequency and severity of such infections and delays recovery. The effect of undernutrition of the mother can result in infection in both the mother and child; which is capable of creating a potential lethal cycle of worsening illness, deteriorating nutritional status and possible death in extreme cases.
In her determination to end this endemic problem in Africa, The First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari joined her Burundian counterpart, Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye, the First Lady of Burundi, to participate in the high level Women Leadership program organised by OPDAD/OAFLAD Burundi themed: "Health and Nutrition of Woman and Child’’.

Delivering a keynote address on the occasion, the Nigerian First Lady made a case for deliberate effort from concerned stakeholders in the health sector and other key sectors of child/maternal care to implement programmes aimed at alleviating this endemic crisis in Africa. While commending Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye for her outstanding efforts and strong determination in fighting this monster in Burundi using her multi faceted approach via her pet programme, social awareness and public sensitization on the issue, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari promised Burundians of her strong alliance with the office of the First Lady of Burundi, aimed at mitigating the effects of maternal/child mortality and child malnutrition in the region. She equally donated some made in Nigeria nutritional supplements for distribution to the less privileged as part of her contribution towards sustaining this drive.
Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari expressed her gratitude to all those who have continued to partner with her pet project, *‘’Future Assured Programme’’* which continues to make such donations for the upkeep and wellness of the most vulnerable in the society possible. Through this Support 'Future Assured Programme’ addresses the deteriorating health status of women, youth and children as well as assists in reducing the rate of maternal, neonatal and child mortality. She cited nutrition, lack of health education, lack of clean drinking water and poverty as the glaring problems of the African woman; adding that this has necessitated the focus on provision of clean drinking water, nutrition supplements and health screening exercises against killer diseases like breast and cervical cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and hypertension.

The visibly elated First Lady, Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye thanked the Nigerian First Lady for her numerous interventions and support to their country Burundi, especially to His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari’s diplomatic charter that has greatly deepened both economic and bilateral ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Burundi. She commended the efforts of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi, Amb. Elijah Onyeagba for championing various wonderful policies on behalf of the Nigerian President.

Speaking to journalists after the two day working visit of Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Aisha Buhari to the Republic of Burundi, the Head of the Nigerian Mission, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Nigeria to the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Amb. Elijah Onyeagba thanked their host nation Burundi and further reiterated His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to achieve the diplomatic charter in the East African nation which includes a prosperous, secure and healthy Africa, while calling for concerted efforts from all and sundry to tackle the prevalent cases of maternal/child malnutrition in the region.

OPDAD - Burundi (Organisation des Premieres Dames d' Afrique pour le Développement) is the umbrella body for present and past First Ladies of the Republic of Burundi while OAFLAD is the Organisation of African First Ladies. Their goal is to formulate vibrant programmes and policies aimed at improving the living conditions of women and children in Burundi, Africa and elsewhere.

On the Nigerian First Lady’s envoy to the OPDAD/OFLAD program in Bujumbura was the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi and his wife, Her Excellency Lady (Iyom) Udo Onyeagba, members of the First Lady’s pet project, ‘’Future Assured Programme’’ and other key officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Burundi.

Our first lady is really beautiful.

Osariemen12:
Our first lady is really beautiful.