BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Programme Manager, Civil Society Scale Up Nutrition In Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Dr Goodness Anyanwu, said malnutrition is the major cause of death, stunting growth, poor brain and cognitive development as well as lowered productivity in adulthood.
Dr. Anyanwu stated this on Thursday during a one day media round table on “Increased Investment In Nutrition To Scale Up Quality Nutrition Services In Sokoto State.
According to her, malnourished women are more likely to give birth to malnourished children.
“Malnutrition has an over bearing influence on the growth, development and productivity of every individual and nation”.
“It is the major cause of death, stunting growth, poor brain and cognitive development, poor school performance as well as lowered productivity in adulthood”.
While noting that the vision of CS-SUNN is centered on food security for all, Dr. Anyanwu appealed to Sokoto State Government to approve multi sectoral plans for food and nutrition.
On his part, Mr Buhari Umar, the Director Budget, Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning hinted that, aside making provision of 500 million naira in the 2024 budget for the procurement of ‘”Ready To Use Therapeutic Food”‘, the state has also made provisions for agricultural and other poverty related interventions running into billions of naira.
Buhari, who delivered a paper on, “Nutrition Status in Sokoto State“, assured that they are not only making conscious efforts to improve on budgetary allocation to nutrition but also achieve the SDGs and 9points agenda of Governor Ahmed Aliyu led government.
Speaking on his part, the Representative of North West Steering Committee of CS-SUNN, Mr Silas Ideva, said CS-SUNN is concerned with the development, economic prosperity, and the overall well-being of the Nigerian populace.
“With malnutrition affecting at least one in three people in the world today and Nigeria, unfortunately, holding the second-highest number of stunted children worldwide, CS-SUNN’s mission gains even greater significance-the commitment to addressing malnutrition which has become a persistent public health concern in Nigeria”.
Mr Ideva gave the percentage of households in the Sokoto State experiencing food insecurity to be 22.4%, Early breastfeeding within 24 hours at 15.3% and Exclusive breastfeeding among women to be 59.6% with 39.4% having Stunted growth 17.9% Wasting and 21.19% Underweight.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Sokoto State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Malam Rabiu Gandi said the mission of CS-SUNN as established in Nigeria by seven organizations in 2013/2014 was to ensure that every citizen not only have food but also nutrition secured.
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