The Kebbi State Government has officially rejected a report associated with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) concerning child mortality rates, labeling the claims as deceptive and detached from the state’s actual conditions. Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, noted that the report alleged daily deaths of 30 newborns and 100 children under five, citing UNICEF data.
Abdulkarim Yakubu, the Nigerian public relations representative for MSF, subsequently clarified that these figures originated from 2018 and do not represent the current status of the state. Kebbi officials criticized the dissemination of these outdated numbers for causing unwarranted public alarm. Governor Nasir Idris’ administration emphasized its proactive measures to boost child nutrition and medical services, including the provision of N140 million worth of nutritional supplements and a partnership with UNICEF to supply therapeutic food.
Furthermore, the government detailed extensive health sector upgrades, such as the renovation of 32 general hospitals, the improvement of 225 primary healthcare centers, and the recruitment of 500 health personnel. The administration expressed skepticism toward previous MSF claims regarding high malnutrition admission rates, which Governor Idris reportedly found to be inaccurate during site inspections. While the government appreciates humanitarian efforts, it insists that reports must remain balanced and verifiable to avoid spreading misinformation.
