Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq initiated a comprehensive nutrition drive across the state on Wednesday. The initiative, named “Eat A Rainbow,” was organized as part of the celebrations for the 2025 World Nutrition Day.
Initiated under the leadership of Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, who serves as the Commissioner for the Kwara State Ministry of Health, the Eat A Rainbow initiative represents a pioneering effort by the government to enhance family nutrition through better consumption of well-balanced meals.
The Governor described it as an initiative focused on the community, showcasing his administration’s dedication to enhancing the welfare of the populace and expanding upon their achievements within the sector.
The governor stated, “This initiative goes beyond simply promoting fruits and vegetables. It serves as a wake-up call—a reminder that the decisions we make today have a direct impact on shaping the future for our children, families, and communities.”
He was represented by Commissioner for Finance Dr Hauwa Nuru.
‘By eating a variety of colorful fruits and veggies every day, we take a firm stance against malnutrition, chronic conditions, and avoidable ailments,’ he said.
AbdulRazaq stated that the ‘Eat a Rainbow’ initiative is grounded in both scientific understanding and compassionate principles, acknowledging that long-term well-being stems from preventive measures, educational efforts, and fostering personal power.
The Kwara State First Lady, Ambassador Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. John Bello.
Among those present were cabinet members; leaders from various levels of local government; directors general of several organizations including Professor Nusirat Elelu, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, the head of the Hospital Management Board; the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahaya; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Usman Jos; Balogun Fulani Alhaji Atiku Sidiq; along with a university professor and keynote speaker for the event, Professor Fausat Kolawole; plus additional attendees.
The First Lady praised the administration for enhancing public health via numerous programs and proper funding allocated to the UNICEF Child Malnutrition Fund, as well as other supportive nutritional organizations.
She motivated the people from Kwara to develop a practice of consuming well-balanced meals for a healthier lifestyle.
In an earlier address to unveil the campaign, Commissioner for Health, El-Imam, said the Eat a Rainbow campaign would reposition the nutrition of the people for good.
She stated that the state is dedicated to decreasing the percentage of children identified as suffering from malnutrition, although she also noted that the progress seen in Kwara State’s declining malnutrition rates can be attributed to the administration’s efforts.
From 2013 to 2019, UNICEF withdrew support from Kwara due to interruptions in the funding contributions, according to El-Imam. This situation led to a severe malnutrition crisis within the region.
As confirmed in public records, our malnutrition indicators began declining progressively during this time frame. Notably, the percentage of children experiencing wasting or having low weights relative to their height increased from 6.5% in 2013 to 7.3% in 2018. These were wasted years in the nutritional advancement for our mothers and children,” stated El-Imam.
Today, this statistic has dropped to 6.1% of children under five years old in Kwara State, which equates to approximately 50,744 kids requiring urgent assistance for wasting. The nationwide percentage stands at 8.0%, even though these figures are more favorable compared to the national averages, our aim remains to reduce this number further.
She stated that the government acknowledged the alarming 7.3% wastage rate mentioned in the 2018 report and tasked the Ministry with addressing the various types of malnutrition prevalent in the region.
The Commissioner stated that this dedication has allowed the state to carry out consistent, highly effective, and economical initiatives at both healthcare facilities and within communities.
She stated that malnutrition is a national issue, worsened by security issues and other contributing elements. She vowed that the government would consistently gather resources to address this nutritional deficiency and improve Kwara’s position regarding malnutrition.
She stated: “To enhance the standard of nutritional services provided at healthcare centers, the Ministry has recently educated frontline, intermediate, and advanced health personnel on Maternal, Infants, and Young Children’s Nutrition. Additionally, they were instructed in Growth Monitoring and Promotion.”
We provided training on administering Multiple Micronutrient Powders to children as well. Additionally, we trained officials from the Emergency Management Agency and personnel from Local Government Areas on integrating nutrition into their practices to enhance their responses.
This month, the Ministry of Health showcased the government’s multi-sector approach to tackling malnutrition by orienting agricultural extension workers on fostering food diversity and home gardens within local communities.
Today, we are promoting the gospel throughout the state with our latest initiative called Eat a Rainbow. This project has been under development since last year.
As we are aware, proper nourishment, characterized by appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and various types of foods, is crucial for sustaining good health and avoiding illnesses. Food variety along with nutritional balance serve as the foundation stones for a robust populace and thriving Kwara. It is this very objective that the current Eat a Rainbow initiative aims to accomplish. The Eat a Rainbow campaign focuses on appreciating culinary diversity, improving meal quality, and encouraging communal involvement.
We strongly encourage all residents of Kwara to adopt vibrant, well-balanced diets. This can be done without breaking the bank. Incorporate peanuts into your garri dishes, combine moimoi with your pap, and include leafy greens such as efo tete and gbure in every meal.
Professor Kolawole stated that malnutrition continues to be a significant public health issue in Nigeria. She highlighted that this problem can present as undernutrition, deficiencies of essential nutrients, and an increasing prevalence of overnutrition.
She cited the transition from conventional cuisine to Western-style fast food, along with factors such as urbanization, food advertisements, lack of knowledge, and economic hardship, as contributors to malnutrition in Nigeria. She urged parents and other involved parties to opt for meals with well-balanced nutrition instead.
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