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.

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.

***decries 262,000 annual deaths of babies, 50,000 mortality rate

The Nigeria Association of small and medium scale enterprises (NASME) has raised concern over the recent mind boggling data that showed that 100 million Nigerians are faced with food insecurity, with a significant gap in nutrition affecting 7.3 million women.
This was as Stakeholders who gathered on Thursday in Abuja at the 2024 Enterprise Support Organisation (ESOs) for Nutrition also expressed similar fear over its ripple effect on mothers and their babies.

Speaking as one of the panelists to discuss the issue the chairman of the Plateau State chapter of NASME Olu Awolowo said the bigger challenge is the ripple effect from the crisis that included, over 24,000 daily births being threatened due to undernourished mothers, 46 million women of childbearing age at risk and 262,000 annual deaths of babies as well as 50,000 annual deaths of women.

“Undernourished mothers are more likely to experience poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight, birth defects, and other complications.
“This crisis demands immediate attention and action to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.

The situation he said highlights the need for sustainable solutions to ensure food security and nutrition for all Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
Representative of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Dr. Michael Ojo, said the crucial gathering is dedicated to exploring and improving the role of Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs) in transforming our food systems.
He indicated that the ESOs for Nutrition have provided a platform for engaging critical stakeholders across and beyond the nutritious food supply chain in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Continuing he said the objective is to empower ESOs to effectively integrate nutrition-focused strategies into their support for SMEs, thereby increasing the availability, affordability, and desirability of safe and nutritious foods in underserved markets.

Dr. Ojo underscored the essential contributions of ESOs in addressing the complexities of Nigeria’s food systems, which are increasingly under pressure from factors such as climate change, economic instability, and rapid population growth.

“ESOs are the bridge that connects nutritious food MSMEs with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to grow and scale,” Dr. Ojo stated. He highlighted that these organizations are vital in building the capacity of MSMEs through training, improving operational efficiency, and fostering innovation.

The GAIN representative also pointed out that many MSMEs struggle to access finance and new markets, areas where ESOs have made significant strides by linking these enterprises with investors and helping them navigate market entry complexities.

“By 2050, Nigeria’s population is expected to double, increasing the demand for food. ESOs will be critical in supporting MSMEs to adopt new technologies and innovative practices to meet this demand,” Dr. Ojo explained.

Beyond economic growth, Dr. Ojo emphasized that the work of ESOs is also instrumental in improving nutrition and ensuring food security across Nigeria.
He noted that ESOs help increase the availability and affordability of nutritious foods, particularly in underserved markets, thereby contributing to a more resilient and equitable food system.

Dr. Ojo called for greater collaboration among governments, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to bolster the impact of ESOs in transforming food systems. He stressed that collective efforts are necessary to ensure that Nigeria’s food systems are sustainable, inclusive, and capable of providing healthier diets for all.

“As GAIN strives to enhance access to nutritious food for 1.5 billion people globally by 2027, the role of ESOs in Nigeria’s food system transformation remains a cornerstone of this ambitious goal.