Frm left, UNICEF Representative, Enugu Dep. Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Commissioner for Health, among others during the handover ceremony.
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised the Enugu State Government for its proactive role in tackling child malnutrition in Nigeria.
The commendation was given by UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, on Tuesday, March 31, during the handover ceremony of 2,803 cartons of SQ-LNS, 843 cartons of RUTF, and multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for pregnant women procured in collaboration with the Enugu State Government under the Child Nutrition Match Fund (CNF) project.
Saeed specifically acknowledged the administration of Governor Peter Mbah for taking decisive steps, noting that Enugu is the first state in Nigeria to partner with UNICEF on the initiative.
She explained that the state government contributed counterpart funding amounting to N160 million, which was equally matched by UNICEF.
Her words, “UNICEF commends Enugu State’s leadership and contribution to the CNF, positioning the State as a model. Enugu is one of the first states to procure MMS and among few states to prioritize prevention by procuring SQ-LNS. As we hand over these SQ-LNS and RUTF supplies today, we urge the State Government to ensure:
- Timely last-mile distribution to facilities and communities, including rural and hard-to-reach areas;
- Robust tracking and accountability systems to monitor coverage and use and prevent aid diversion, misuse and fraud;
- Ongoing community sensitization and demand creation for correct and sustained use; and
- Accelerated LGA ownership and implementation of the State Multisectoral Plan for Nutrition through the government-led N-774 initiative.
“I have full faith that under your leadership, Your Excellency, Enugu State will continue to sustain budget commitment to institutionalize these interventions in the State’s child-health agenda as already demonstrated by the inclusion of procurement of MMS in the SPHCDA’s Annual Operating Plan. Congratulations.”
In a related remark delivered on her behalf by UNICEF Chief of Nutrition Section, Ms. Nemat Hajeebhoy, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with the state to ensure inclusive child health outcomes.
She stated, “Your Excellency, UNICEF remains firmly committed to deepening our partnership with the Enugu State Government to ensure that no child is left behind. Together, we can significantly reduce stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and preventable child and maternal deaths.
“On behalf of the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, I now have the honour and privilege to formally present and hand over these nutrition supplies, procured through the Child Nutrition Match-Fund Project, to the Government and people of Enugu State — with the confidence that they will be deployed judiciously for the benefit of our most vulnerable children.
“On behalf of the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, and the entire UNICEF Nigeria team, I am honoured to join this ceremony marking the handover of SQ-LNS and RUTF to the Government and people of Enugu State.
” We commend the Government of Enugu State for investing ₦160,000,000, matched by UNICEF, enabling the procurement of 2,803 cartons of SQ-LNS, 843 cartons of RUTF, and MMS for pregnant women. This collaboration demonstrates sustainable financing and strong partnership to improve nutrition outcomes”.
According to her, Nigeria bears the highest burden of malnourished children in Africa and ranks second globally, underscoring the need for continued intervention.
She said, ” Malnutrition remains a major public health challenge. Nigeria has the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and second highest in the world.
” In Enugu, stunting among children under five increased from 12% in 2013 to 15% (135,008)(2024 NDHS). These increasing trends underscores the urgency of scaling up proven, high-impact interventions particularly in the First 1000 Days of Life, such as MMS, SQ-LNS and RUTF*, UNICEF Country representative stressed.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, charged the Ministry of Health, Department of Primary Health Care, and relevant desk officers to ensure equitable distribution of the micronutrients to grassroots communities and vulnerable groups, warning that failure to do so would undermine the purpose of the investment.
Earlier, the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, commended the governor for the initiative, assuring that the supplies would be distributed across the 17 local government areas of the state and extended to rural communities.
