Mr. Ban was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia, and later in the evening met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja. There was no official statement on what was discussed at the meeting.
The UN chief, who is on his first visit to Nigeria since assumption of office in January 2007, is due to meet with state governors to discuss accelerating the Millennium Development Goals, according to information from the UN. He will also meet with INEC chairman Prof Attahiru Jega.
Mr. Ban yesterday urged the Federal Government to improve intervention efforts in ensuring access to health care for the citizenry, especially to women and children.
Speaking while inspecting the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, the UN chief said he was in the country to personally observe the extent of government intervention as it relates to infant and maternal health.
He lamented that over the years many health systems operating in various countries have failed in providing quality health care to women and children.
“Nigeria has done well in polio and in reducing maternal and infant mortality, and they are saving lives which is commendable and I am here to observe their progress and share this experience with the world.
“Providing care for mothers and children is top on my priority, because I believe that when you provide quality health to women and children, you breed health society which in turns makes a health world,” he said.
He noted that 1,000 women along with 22,000 children die on daily basis which according to him is “totally and truly unacceptable situation, as most of these deaths are preventable.”
Earlier the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, reiterated the Nigerian government’s effort in providing care for women and children adding that in line with their commitment during the MDGs meeting in New York over 4,000 midwives have been deployed to rural areas to provide care.
He said Nigeria has witnessed positive improvement with regard to attaining the MDGs especially with the reduction of infant-maternal mortality, polio and a reduction in the HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.
Also speaking, FCT Minister Bala Muhammed said the administration has redefined its policies on health, specifically in the areas of primary health care, immunization and provision of care to women and children.
The Ministry of Defence yesterday denied reports that while in Nigeria Mr. Ban will discuss the crisis in Libya. Director of Defence Information in Abuja Colonel Mohammed Yerima said, “I am not aware of any meeting with the UN Secretary General.”
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