The Federal Capital Territory Administration has frowned against the practice of killing of twins still going on in some remote villages of the Federal Capital Territory.
The practices is referred to as infanticide.
In order to completely stamp out this dastardly act, the FCT Administration Ad-hoc Committee on Infanticide and Twin-killing took its campaign to four Area Councils of the Territory, namely Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje.
The FCT Director of Information and Communications, Stella Ojeme, led the three-week advocacy campaign against the scourge to Yaba, Gulida, Gomani, Tepase, Dawaki, Warambi, Kiyi and Shetuko villages.
Ojeme, who was represented at the campaign by the Assistant Director Information, Muktar Ibrahim, berated the residents of the Territory still practicing such inhuman cultural practice.
Ojeme used the occasions to stress the need for parents and guardians to take their children and wards to school to improve their living standards.
The Information Director explained that it was ungodly to kill twins whom she said are God’s creations and blessings to their nucleus families and the society at large.
According to her: “They (twins) have a right to live just like any other person and should not be judged by the circumstances of their birth.”
Ojeme lamented that the poor child delivery methods amongst the rural dwellers is one of the major causes of maternal mortality and therefore encouraged pregnant mothers to avail themselves the opportunity of the liberalized health care facilities provided by the FCT Administration and Area Councils.
Her words: “Ignorance is largely responsible for such practices among these communities, and I urge you the community leaders to help spread the Committee’s message against infanticide to the people.”
The Director promised that the FCT Scholarship Board has been established by the FCT Administration to assist indigent pupils/students to enjoy education to the highest level.
Meanwhile, leaflets, t-shirts, face-caps, banners as well as mounted billboards were distributed to serve as enduring legacies in those communities by showing the ills of infanticide to the society.
In his palace, the Ona of Abaji and the Chairman of FCT Council of Chiefs, Adamu Baba Yunusa, promised that the FCT Traditional Council will join the campaign to eradicate the devilish practices.
Yunusa described such act as anti-social.
The Etsu Kwali, Alhaji Audu Shaban Nixazo III; Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji; and the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaju Jibrin Tanko, in their own palaces praised the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, for the diligent way he has been supervising the FCT affairs and pledged the support and cooperation of their communities.
A statement by Deputy Director (Press), Muhammad Hazat Sule, said Mary Tanko, a Deputy Director, represented the FCT National Orientation Agency at the campaign.