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Nigeria Hosts Historic Nutrition Convening to catalyse innovation, empower ESOs

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**As ESOs move to unlock Healthier future

Determined to transform the country’s food systems and improve nutrition outcomes, Nigeria hosted the 2024 Enterprise Support Organisations(ESOs) for Nutrition Convening, a groundbreaking event that brought together innovators and stakeholders in the nutrition and agrifood sectors.

The convening, the first of its kind in Nigeria and possibly Africa, hosted at the Yaradua Center on Thursday in Abuja is aimed to catalyse innovations in nutrition and empower Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) to drive positive change in food systems.

According to the Programme Lead for Nutrition Enterprise Development, Aime Kwizera, the event was designed to harness collective expertise to address nutrition challenges.
“We work collaboratively with governments, businesses, civil society, and all interested stakeholders in food systems,” Kwizera said.

She explained that the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) partnered with local organizations to host the event, which featured panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions.
She listrd participants to include ESOs, government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives.

The convening according to her sought to identify solutions to transform food systems and improve nutrition outcomes in Nigeria, where nutrition challenges remain prevalent.
By working together, she observed that the stakeholders will create a more sustainable and equitable food system that benefits all Nigerians.
Representative of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Dr. Michael Ojo, indicated that to transform Nigeria’s food systems and ensure nutritious food is accessible to all, Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs) are playing a vital role,
Addressing a gathering of stakeholders, Dr. Ojo highlighted the critical challenges faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the food sector, including limited access to finance, markets, and technical knowledge.

ESOs are bridging these gaps by providing targeted support to MSMEs, enabling them to build capacity, innovate, and grow. By doing so, ESOs are contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system in Nigeria.

Dr. Ojo emphasized the importance of collaboration among governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to amplify the impact of ESOs.
“With collective efforts, Nigeria can achieve a healthier future where nutritious food is accessible to all.
“GAIN’s mission to improve access to nutritious food for 1.5 billion people by 2027 is a testament to the potential of ESOs in driving positive change in Nigeria’s food systems.”

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Nutrition

Farm Alert Launches Groundbreaking “Eggs of Hope” Initiative to Address Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria

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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.

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Nutrition

Nigeria Records 2.5 Million Severely Malnourished Children Annually – FG

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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.

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Nutrition

FG, Nutrition International Enhance Nutrition Capacity in Jigawa

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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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