By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
According to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 11 million children under the age of five face severe food poverty, increasing their risk of wasting—a dangerous form of malnutrition—by up to 50 percent.
UNICEF also stated that in Kano, more than 51.9% (one out of two) of children are stunted or not developing properly, while over 10% are underweight for their height.
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The head of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohammed Farah, made this statement during the formal transfer of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), sourced via a collaborative government and UNICEF Child Nutrition Marching Fund project, which took place at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Takai Local Government Area.
Rahama, who was represented by Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, UNICEF’s Health Manager, stated that UNICEF has made progress in addressing the food nutrition security crisis.
As he stated, UNICEF described child food poverty as the difficulty children face in obtaining and eating a healthy and varied diet during their early years.
He mentioned that the definition is assessed through the UNICEF and WHO dietary diversity score.
“We intentionally concentrate on early childhood (children below the age of 5) as it is a time of exceptionally high nutritional needs and the most vulnerable stage for physical growth and brain development in all children, regardless of whether they are in stable or challenging circumstances.
Since the opportunity window for the Child Nutrition Match Fund is still available, I formally request His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State to: Allocate additional funds in 2025, which UNICEF will also match to purchase more supplies, particularly RUTF and MMS via the CNF.
“Carry out the second round of MNCHW no later than early December 2025 and purchase enough deworming tablets to cover all children aged 12-59 months in the state. Approve a six-month paid maternity leave policy in the state to safeguard infant health and nutrition and encourage exclusive breastfeeding,” he stated.
He also mentioned that UNICEF and its development partners have invested significantly in enhancing the country’s and Kano State’s nutrition conditions over the years, with the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) being one initiative showing remarkable progress.
Seyoum suggested that Kano state is the first in Nigeria to make the largest single contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund, having released N500 million, which remains the highest single financial support provided by a state in Nigeria to date.
He mentioned that, “UNICEF supplemented the Government’s contribution with an extra N500 million. The combined fund acquired 12,948 cartons of RUTF.”
The medicinal food will assist more than 17,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition.
UNICEF also supplied sufficient amounts of Vitamin A tablets and MMS for the initial phase of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week, aimed at reaching children aged 6 to 59 months and pregnant women.
UNICEF will remain committed to collaborating with the state and operating within critical sectors to enhance nutritional and health results for the indigenous people of Kano state, particularly women and children.
The governor of Kano state, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, praised UNICEF’s collaboration with the state.
He stated, “Our dedication to preserving lives and enhancing the health and welfare of our beloved people is unwavering. I would like to emphasize that malnutrition is among the significant health issues confronting not just the state, but the whole nation.”
Therefore, I am very pleased to announce that, for the first time, all 44 of our Local Government Areas have some form of nutrition intervention. I would like to mention that during the period being reviewed, we have supplied equipment, consumables, other supplies, and conducted staff training for the establishment and reactivation of CMA.
Secondly, I am also happy to announce that in partnership with UNICEF, we have obtained life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) valued at N1 billion. This food is intended for children and will benefit all undernourished children. The distribution of this food will be closely supervised by the Ministry of Health and other involved parties, including traditional rulers, religious and community leaders throughout the state’s 44 Local Government Areas.
We are convinced that this kind of intervention will significantly lower the concerning indicators of malnutrition, with stunting being reversed, ensuring that every child in Kano experiences healthy growth and development.
At this moment, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to UNICEF for their comprehension, assistance, and additional efforts in supporting children, particularly those from disadvantaged families throughout the state and, by implication, the entire nation.
More appreciation to the UNICEF leadership and team, along with all the other donors and development partners I referred to earlier.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
