Ministry requests for fund to tackle female genital mutilation

The Federal Ministry of Health on Wednesday in Abuja requested for a special fund from the proceeds of SURE-P and Debt Relief Fund to tackle the menace of female genital mutilation in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, said the request is contained in a memorandum presented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

“Also, the Minister of Health brought a report of his Council which held in Lagos, last year.

“That report urged stakeholders, particularly to increase the campaign against female genital mutilation, which is a national campaign.

“What the Federal Ministry of Health said today is that this scourge is still with us and they are urging for greater funding for the programme, particularly from special funds such as the SURE-P, the Debt Relief Fund that is available.

“We believe that it is important that our female children are treated decently and this campaign definitely we get additional support from stakeholders.

“But, it was an issue that was brought to Council which shows that we still have a lot of work to do in that area.’’

Maku further stated that the Minister of Health informed FEC that Nigeria would be hosting one of the five regional offices of UNESCO in Africa.

He said the location of the regional office in Abuja was informed by the country’s proactive participation in UNESCO’s activities.

The Minister stated that the Council noted with delight the positive report from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the Credit extended to Agro-Supliers.

According to him, the Agro-Suppliers have been supplying fertilisers and farm input to farmers following the complete stoppage of Federal Government policy of fertiliser contracts.