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| Nigeria’s malnourished children |
2m Kano children malnourished
Stakeholders
at a one-day meeting on Thursday in Kano decried the high rate of malnutrition
among children in the state.
at a one-day meeting on Thursday in Kano decried the high rate of malnutrition
among children in the state.
News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about two million children in the state are
malnourished.
of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about two million children in the state are
malnourished.
The
stakeholders meeting was organised by the Aisha Buhari Foundation with the aim
of repositioning nutrition as a development and rights-based issue.
stakeholders meeting was organised by the Aisha Buhari Foundation with the aim
of repositioning nutrition as a development and rights-based issue.
Speaking at
the event, Onole Ukedeh, the project coordinator of the foundation, said the
stakeholders meeting was to find a lasting solution to the issue.
the event, Onole Ukedeh, the project coordinator of the foundation, said the
stakeholders meeting was to find a lasting solution to the issue.
She claimed
that malnutrition affects the overall development of children, explaining that
a child with stunted growth could not think well.
that malnutrition affects the overall development of children, explaining that
a child with stunted growth could not think well.
She blamed
the poor performances at WAEC/SSCE on stunted growth in children.
the poor performances at WAEC/SSCE on stunted growth in children.
She,
therefore, called for urgent need in tackling the feeding requirements of children
by exploring all revenue sources to appropriate needed funds to the right
places.
therefore, called for urgent need in tackling the feeding requirements of children
by exploring all revenue sources to appropriate needed funds to the right
places.
Ukedeh
regretted that at the moment, the country was having a poor budget on
nutrition, saying 32 per cent of children were already suffering from one form
of malnutrition or another.
regretted that at the moment, the country was having a poor budget on
nutrition, saying 32 per cent of children were already suffering from one form
of malnutrition or another.
She said out
of every 100 children, 58 per cent were malnourished and regretted that since
2017, no desperate measures had been taken to resolve the feeding challenge.
of every 100 children, 58 per cent were malnourished and regretted that since
2017, no desperate measures had been taken to resolve the feeding challenge.
In a speech,
the National Vice President North, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr Salisu
Maiwada, suggested the use of local nutritional foods, especially in the rural
areas.
the National Vice President North, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr Salisu
Maiwada, suggested the use of local nutritional foods, especially in the rural
areas.
Represented
by an expert on nutrition, Sharfadi Shehu, Maiwada explained that one must not
be rich before having a well balanced diet.
by an expert on nutrition, Sharfadi Shehu, Maiwada explained that one must not
be rich before having a well balanced diet.
He said
there were many nutritional foods affordable for everyone, not necessarily
expensive ones.
there were many nutritional foods affordable for everyone, not necessarily
expensive ones.
Maiwada
called on both the Federal and State Governments to redouble their efforts in
improving the nutritional requirements of children.
called on both the Federal and State Governments to redouble their efforts in
improving the nutritional requirements of children.
Also, a
legislator, representing Bagwai/Shanono Constituency said the state government
earmarked N4 billion to fight malnutrition in the state.
legislator, representing Bagwai/Shanono Constituency said the state government
earmarked N4 billion to fight malnutrition in the state.
According to
him, apart from the N4 billion approved, there is also another N15 billion set
aside at the State Agricultural Development Agency (NARDA).
him, apart from the N4 billion approved, there is also another N15 billion set
aside at the State Agricultural Development Agency (NARDA).
“We are
highly concerned with the prevalent rate of malnourished children in the state.
Therefore, urgent steps are being taken to tackle it.” (NAN)
highly concerned with the prevalent rate of malnourished children in the state.
Therefore, urgent steps are being taken to tackle it.” (NAN)