Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Enugu Field Office has commended the State Government for its effort at reducing child malnutrition in Enugu State.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, made the commendation at the policy dialogue with Enugu State government and the 17 LGAs, Executive and Legislative Councils on investments in Nutrition and the N774 Initiative.
The theme of the event was, “Harnessing Optimal Development Potentials of Enugu Children and Adolescents through Investment in Maternal and Child Nutrition: A key to sustainable development in Enugu State.”
Represented by Mrs Ngozi Onuorah, Nutrition Specialist, Chiluwe said the theme of the meeting was apt and timely and in line with the global development agenda
She said that in Enugu State, 156,272 of Children Under Five years were stunted according to the 2023/24 NDHS reports, representing 15 per cent of the children population in rge the state.
She attributed the poor state of nutrition for children to largely poor maternal, infant and young child feeding practices during the 1000 days (from pregnancy to the second birthday).
According to her, the dialogue was a crucial step towards transformative change.
“The government of Enugu State has recently demonstrated examplary leadership through its contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund and the review of the state’s multi-sectoral strategic plan for nutrition.
“UNICEF highly commends these laudable efforts and affirms it’s unwavering commitment to working hand in hand with the government to translate this strategic plan into tangible outcomes,” she said.
She said that UNICEF was committed to partnering with Enugu State and other relevant partners and stakeholders to achieve the agenda.
She called for the stakeholders to join hands in, not only improving children nutrition in the state, but ensure a healthy living for all.
Speaking, Mr Chris-Roberts Ozongwu, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Enugu State, said that nutrition was the very foundation for the health, productivity and future of Enugu people.
He said the programme was aimed at strengthening the foundation for the successful implementation of the N774 initiative and multi-sectoral plan of action on food and nutrition in Enugu State.
Represented by Mrs Clara Eze, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ozongwu said the initiative was a government-led multi-sectoral coordination for nutrition, designed to operate in 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
“This is with the aim of scaling up high impact, cost-effective nutrition interventions,” Ozongwu said.
The commissioner said the establishment of the Committee of Local Government on Food and Nutrition in all the 17 LGA in Enugu State, was a move to achieving the National Policy on food and nutrition.He commended some LGAs that have taken the lead in setting up their committees, saying that their commitments were exemplary.
Also Speaking, Prof. Benedette Okoli, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation in the state, described nutrition as very important in the lives of both children and adults.
“If you don’t eat well; you can’t think well,” she said.
According to her, balanced diet was not as expensive as the public believed, adding that one can combine local delicacies to get a balance nutritional diet.
