From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the present administration in Enugu state led by Governor Peter Mbah for implementing policies geared towards reducing breaking child malnutrition in the state.
UNICEF said NDHS,2023/24 reports shows that 156,272 children in Enugu state, under five years of age, have stunted growth due to poor nutrition.While 64 percent of children between 0 -5 months are denied the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
The Chief of UNICEF field office in Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, gave this hints in her speech read at a one day Engagement/Policy Dialogue with Enugu state and local government executives on Investment in Nutrition and the N774 initiative, held at Oakland hotel Enugu,on Monday August 18.
She commended Governor Mbah for the various interventions by his administration to improve child nutrition in the state.
Part of her speech reads,”The Government of Enugu state has recently demonstrated exemplary leadership through it’s contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund and the review of the State’s Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Nutrition. These forward looking Initiatives reflect a profound commitment to addressing and ultimately eliminating all forms of malnutrition,with particular attention to the well being of children.
“UNICEF highly commends these laudable efforts and reaffirns it’s unwavering commitment to working hand in hand with the government of Enugu state to translate this strategic plan into tangible outcomes that will secure a healthier future for every child”.
She described the dialogue as a catalyst for transformative change enabling the state to cue into the Federal Government’s N774 initiative.
N774 is the federal government’s vision for improved child nutrition in all the 774 local government areas in the country. For Enugu state, it’s N17 based on the fact that the state is made up of 17 local government areas.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office Enugu, Mrs Chiluwe,advocated for the approval of the Updated Enugu state Multisectoral Strategic Plan on Nutrition,to guide the implementation of nutrition interventions in the state,alligning with national strategic plans.
She called for increased budgetary allocations for nutrition in Enugu state to ensure full implementation of the recently reviewed state policy on food and nutrition, the Multisectoral Strategic costed plan on Food and Nutrition (2024-2028) will yield measurable dividends,reducing malnutrition and enhancing human capital development.
UNICEF advocated for a strategy of integrating nutrition across social service sectors like health, education, agriculture,as a means of ensuring that every child have opportunity of accessing nutritious meals.
Mrs Chiluwe in her speech also tasked the various Stakeholders who participated in the One day Engagement/Policy dialogue on how to curb Child malnutrition in Enugu state,to advocate for an approval of six months maternity leave with pay for all nursing mothers and establishment of creches in working places to provide room for exclusive breastfeeding of babies by nursing mothers, who are compelled to resume duties after child birth.
Her words,”As enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women,let us walk the talk and make six months paid maternity leave a reality, not just in policy but in practice.In addition, let us make work places breastfeeding friendly. All we require is 10-metres of space to create safe and hygienic lactation spaces, is that too much to ask?”.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist,Mrs Ngozi Onuorah,while explaining the federal government N774 policy,which narrowed down to N17 for Enugu state, underscored the strategy of ‘Bottom to UP’ approach adopted by National Economic and Regulation Council NERC,targeted at strengthening social actions for food security.
She disclosedd that the 36 state governors totally agreed to the N774 Initiative.
Also that the current serving local government chaimen has signed and agreed before their respective state governors to replicate the trend in their local communities,as a measure of enhancing affordable nutritious meals in every household.
She said it is time for action. Her words,” Together,We can turn our communities into action.
Together,We can turn our local governments into actions.
Together We can turn our state into actions and so as to ensure ‘No child is left behind’.
Earlier in his welcome address,The Enugu state commissioner for budget and planning,Barr.Chris Ozokwor, in his address, commended UNICEF, his ministry and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition for organising the one day Engagement programme,stating it is timely.
His words,”
Today’s meeting is both timely and critical. We are here to strengthen the foundation for the successful implementation of the N774 Initiative and the Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition in Enugu State.
” This initiative, as many of us know, is a government-led multi-sectoral coordination platform for nutrition, designed to operate across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, with the aim of scaling up high-impact, cost-effective nutrition interventions”.
He said the establishment of the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN) in all 17 local government areas of Enugu state of our State is a procedural and a strategic move towards achieving the targets of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition and the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition.
He commended those local government areas that have already taken the lead in setting up their committees.
He stated,”Your prompt action shows true commitment and sets an example for others to follow”.
He said the theme of the dialogue, “Harnessing Optimal Development Potentials of Enugu Children and Adolescents through Investment in Maternal and Child Nutrition – A Key to Sustainable Development in Enugu State” is a reminder that nutrition is the bedrock upon which the health, productivity, and future of our people rest.
” A well-nourished child is more likely to succeed in school, participate fully in society, and grow into a productive adult”,Ozongwu added.
Speaking to news men, the Chairman of Enugu state Traditional Rulers Council,HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu,who was one of the special guests, urged wealthy Nigerians to contribute in the fight against hunger scourge in the country,by establishing food banks, through which they can feed the poor and the needy in the state.
Igwe Asadu said he established such venture in his village,Edeani Nsukka,as part of his committment to serve God and humanity. However, imbibed the culture during his sojourn in USA where he practised nursing for 37 years, coupled with his experience of having suffered malnutrition as a child during the Nigerian Civil wars.
