Nutrition
FG is committed to tackling malnutrition through data from NFCMS report, says Bagudu
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu on Monday reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to addressing the challenge of malnutrition in the country by leveraging on data from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey(NFCMS) report.
He spoke in a remark during the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey report in Abuja.
Bagudu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Nebolisa Anako, stressed that adequate and proper nutrition was indispensable for human capital development for all ages whether at embryo stage in the mother’s womb, infants, adolescents and adults.
He said the objective of the survey was to enable the country to have a reliable database for food consumption patterns that would serve as source of information for addressing issues of chronic-non-communicable diseases and to improve the food systems to deliver healthy diets to Nigerians.
“Nutrition data plays a crucial role in programme planning across various sectors, including health, education, agriculture, water, information and social welfare among others”, he said.
According to the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey, 2021, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under 5 are 33.3%, 11.6% and 25.3% respectively.
In his goodwill message, the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke said the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey Report marks a significant milestone in the collective efforts to ensure the well-being and health of the citizens.
He said malnutrition has been a major concern to impairment of health due to inadequate or imbalance of one or more nutrients in foods with its far reaching consequences for human capital, economic productivity and national development.
“The findings of this survey will provide valuable insights into the nutritional status of our population, enabling us to develop targeted interventions and policies to address any deficiencies and promote healthy eating habits.
“As the regulatory body responsible for standardization, quality assurance in Nigeria, SON is committed to ensuring that all mandatory food vehicles are fortified with essential nutrients in compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards on food fortification”, he said.
Representatives of the WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and other development partners in their separate goodwill messages said the insights provided by the survey will drive the collective effort towards scaling up food fortification programmes across the country.
The National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey
(NFCMS) was jointly coordinated by the Federal Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning; Health and Agriculture in collaboration with relevant nutrition stakeholders, development partners as well as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) that served as the principal investigator for the survey.
Nutrition
Farm Alert Launches Groundbreaking “Eggs of Hope” Initiative to Address Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria
Following the urgent need to combat malnutrition among children in Northern Nigeria, Farm Alert has unveiled its new initiative, “Eggs of Hope,” as part of its broader Project Sadakat program.
This innovative approach harnesses the power of crowdfunding to distribute eggs—an excellent source of vital nutrients—to children in underserved communities.
The launch event was held at Farm Alert’s office in Abuja and featured keynotes from influential figures, including the Technical Adviser to the Vice President of Nigeria on Women, Youth Engagement, and Impact, Hauwa Liman.
Liman in her address underscored the critical role that initiatives like “Eggs of Hope” play in combatting malnutrition, asserting the need for collective action to support vulnerable populations.
Esteemed guests, such as Dr. Oladotun Fadipe, Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Chinna, also attended the launch, showcasing a unified commitment to addressing this pressing health issue.
“Eggs of Hope” is an initiative that utilizes a unique crowdfunding model, allowing donors to contribute just 200 naira—the cost of a single egg. This funding will be directed towards purchasing eggs from local farmers, ensuring that aid not only addresses malnutrition but also supports the regional economy.
Once collected, the eggs will be distributed to schools and communities in Northern Nigeria, where malnutrition significantly hampers children’s growth and development. This direct-to-need approach ensures that donations effectively reach those who require assistance the most.
Farm Alert has also extended an invitation to individuals and organizations to participate in the “Eggs of Hope” initiative. “Every small contribution can collectively make a substantial impact in the fight against child malnutrition,” a Farm Alert representative stated.
To contribute or find out more about Project Sadakat, visit the Farm Alert website at [farmalert.com.ng/donate](http://farmalert.com.ng/donate).
Through collaborative efforts, Farm Alert believes that we can not only provide nourishment but also instill hope and pave the way for a brighter future for the children of Northern Nigeria.
Nutrition
Nigeria Records 2.5 Million Severely Malnourished Children Annually – FG
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Nutrition Commodities and Logistics Management System desk officer in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr. Samari Godwin Bawa has reported that Nigeria records no fewer than 2.5 million cases of severe malnutrition among children annually.
He made the disclosure while addressing questions during a two-day training for Nutrition Programme Officers on logistics for nutrition commodities, held at the Tahir Guest Palace in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Bawa explained that the federal government is concerned about the high number of severely malnourished children and is implementing programs to integrate nutrition initiatives into the Nigerian Health Logistics Management Information System (NHLMIS).
“Nigeria has the second highest rate of severe malnutrition in the world, following India, and the situation is worsening despite the efforts of the Nigerian government, partners, and donor agencies,” he stated.
He added that the nutrition program would be included in the NHLMIS alongside other health initiatives like malaria, HIV, TB, and maternal and child health.
The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Jigawa State government and supported by Nutrition International, is working to address challenges related to stockouts of nutrition commodities in health facilities across the state.
“We are onboarding nutrition into the system to ensure visibility of commodities for federal, state, and local governments, similar to other public health programs,” Bawa noted.
The training aims to enhance the capacity of logistics managers handling nutrition commodities, helping them effectively use the NHLMIS platform for accountability.
Mrs. Ayodele Gbemileke, a senior program officer at Nutrition International, commended the efforts of the federal and state governments. She emphasized that this initiative will improve accountability and reduce stockouts of nutrition commodities.
Nutrition International has supported the training of about 40 nutrition logistics managers from Jigawa State on the NHLMIS platform. Gbemileke urged participants to apply their newly acquired skills and train other nutrition officers to help save millions of children from the risk of stunting.
Additionally,, a Jigawa State nutrition officer, Malam Muhammad Abdullahi stated that the state government, in partnership with UNICEF, has procured N500 million worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for distribution to all malnutrition treatment centers across the state.
Nutrition
FG, Nutrition International Enhance Nutrition Capacity in Jigawa
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in partnership with Nutrition International, has successfully trained over 40 Nutrition Programme Officers in Jigawa State.
The capacity building which is on the logistics of nutrition commodities and their integration into the Nigerian Health Logistics Management Information System (NHMIS).
Held at Tashir Gust Palace in Dutse, the two-day training aimed to address the pressing issue of malnutrition in Nigeria, where approximately 2.5 million children are reported to suffer from severe malnutrition annually.
The desk officer for Nutrition Commodities and Logistics Management, Mr. Samari Godwin Bawa, emphasized the need for effective data management to guide interventions at all levels of government.
Bawa highlighted that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of malnutrition globally, second only to India.
He underscored the importance of onboarding nutrition programs into the NHMIS to enhance visibility and accountability in managing nutrition commodities alongside other public health programs.
A senior programme officer at Nutrition International, Mrs. Ayodele Gbemileke, praised the collaboration between federal and state governments, asserting that it would help reduce stockouts of nutrition supplies.
She urged participants to apply their training and share their knowledge with colleagues to better combat child malnutrition.
Additionally, Malam Muhammad Abdullahi, a Jigawa state nutrition officer, announced that the state government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has invested N500 million in Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to support treatment centers across the state.
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