Obasanjo pledges to tackle child, maternal mortality
From KABIRU YUSUF, Abuja

WORRIED over the increasing cases of child and maternal mortality in the country, President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that government will pay more attention to raising the country’s life expectancy.
The president was speaking to a delegation of the Better Life Programme, led by Mrs. Maryam Babangida, when they presented translations of the Millennium Development Goals’ Document at State House, Tuesday.
“We are going to have a forum to look at infant and maternal mortality, particularly child nutrition, as well as the achievements of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals”, he stated.
President Obasanjo said “all hands must be on deck” towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, and commended Mrs. Maryam Babangida for spearheading the translation of the MDGs Document for the rural population’s enlightenment and education.
Earlier, Mrs. Babangida had presented copies of the translated Document in Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, French, Spanish and Arabic, and thanked President Obasanjo for his leadership in the fight for the social, economic and educational development of women and children.
The former first lady of the federation further said their was the brain child of the Obasanjo initiatives while he was head of state adding that it was due to the Obasanjo’s care for both women and children that in 1978 a ministry of Social development was created.
While describing Obasanjo as a very foresight leader, she however said her Better life for African Women scheme is in line with the Millennium Development Goals.