Malnutrition remains a large burden to the country ― Lai Mohammed

THE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the weekend declared that Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a large burden to the country; even as he called for concerted efforts to fight malnutrition in totality to ensure the attainment of desired results.

He, however, commended the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), and other stakeholders for their various intervention programmes in resolving the crisis, especially in the areas of advocacy and media awareness.

The minister spoke at a UNICEF Media Dialogue with Journalists and interface with On-Air Personalities (OAPs) on Child Malnutrition in North East.

The dialogue, held in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, was organised by the UNICEF; in conjunction with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Represented by the Deputy Director/ Head Child Rights Information Bureau, in the ministry, Mr Olumide Osanyinpe, the minister said there should be concerted efforts to fight malnutrition.

Besides, he said: “We have to define the strategic objectives of improving food security at the national, community and household levels to reduce malnutrition among infants and children, adolescents and women of reproductive age.”

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He emphasised that tackling Malnutrition entails empowering and educating people.

The Minister said: “Let me first of all commend UNICEF for their unyielding partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, and for their contributions towards all activities being carried out to uphold the rights of Nigerian children.

“I wish to specifically note the constant support of the Media and external relations section, and the consistent efforts at ensuring that the wellbeing of our children is promoted through the various interventions of the section, one of which is continuous dialogues with members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

“I also wish to appreciate the collaboration of DFID and our sister Ministry in this stride- the Federal Ministry of Health and other line Partners here present who have worked relentlessly for the progress of this process.

“We highly acknowledge your priceless contributions towards promoting the health of Nigerian mothers and children, and in ensuring that the goals of the health strategies targeted at them are met through constant dialogues.

“There is a need for investing in child malnutrition for the future, raising awareness and understanding on the problem of malnutrition in Nigeria and resource allocation for food and nutrition security at all levels.

“It is imperative to combat Malnutrition because it can cause death in young children, particularly those under five years of age. There should be concerted efforts to fight malnutrition in totality to ensure the attainment of desired results.

“Malnutrition is a large burden to a country, and tackling Malnutrition entails empowering and educating people.

“Improved nutrition is the key to improved national and human development and this can be done by educating the populace and creating a positive approach towards nutrition.”

The minister added: “Addressing nutrition is one of the ways through which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved, therefore, investment in nutrition will help reduce the negative trend of malnutrition which has been ensured by the creation of this dialogue.

“We have to define the strategic objectives of improving food security at the national, community and household levels to reduce malnutrition among infants and children, adolescents and women of reproductive age; to significantly reduce micronutrient deficiency disorders, especially among the vulnerable group and to increase the knowledge of nutrition among the populace and nutrition education into formal and informal trainings.”