Kwara govt decries malnutrition rate among residents

Kwara State Government has decried menace of malnutrition, saying that malnutrition remains a significant challenge, impacting the health and development of many in the state.

The state government added that malnutrition has impeded socio-economic growth of the state.

Speaking at a one-day press briefing with media representatives and stakeholders across the state’s three senatorial districts on Malnutrition, Dietary Habits, and Locally Available Recipes, in Ilorin on Thursday, the state Communications commissioner, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju, said that the government, under the leadership of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, is committed to eradicating this menace through comprehensive and sustainable interventions.

The Communications ministry organised the programme.

Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mallam Mohammed Yahaya, Mrs. Olukoju added that “malnutrition remains a significant challenge, impacting the health and development of many in our state. It is not just a health issue but a barrier to the socio-economic growth of Kwara.

“Today, we gather to address a critical issue that affects the well-being of our communities: malnutrition, dietary habits, and the utilisation of locally available recipes.

“The event is part of our ongoing efforts to inform and engage the public about the dangers of malnutrition and to share the measures the state government is taking to combat it. We have entered into various partnerships and intensified our efforts to ensure that every resident of the state has access to nutritious food”.

In his presentation on malnutrition, Manager, Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project, Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Habeeb Lawal, revealed that Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children in the world.

Dr. Lawal said that 30 per cent of the malnourished children are sons and daughters of the average and well-to-do families.

He hinted that the state is one of the states to implement a multisectoral action plan of action for malnutrition.

“Indeed, the state has the Bible and Q’uran of nutrition to address malnutrition”.

For her part, Hajia Jemila Gene from the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recommended the consumption of locally available recipes.

She talked about “Dietary habits and locally available recipes”.

Hajia Gene cautioned against consumption of junk foods, recommending instead, use of local cuisines.

She also recommended home gardening to reduce the gravity of the soaring prices of food items.

“With the recent increase in the prices of food items, it has become more imperative for more Nigerians to get involved in growing some of the food items they consume. People can engage in backyard farming to plant some food items and vegetables,” she said.