UNICEF hails Borno’s move to tackle malnutrition

Our correspondent had recently reported that UNICEF raised the alarm over the diversion and reselling of malnourished children’s food in states, including Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, respectively….

The United Nations Children’s Fund has applauded the Borno state government for establishing a committee to coordinate and oversee issues relating to malnutrition in the state.

According to the UN agency, the commendation follows the inauguration of a joint member committee on food and nutrition drawn from the 27 local government areas of the state, with the responsibility of implementing  the N774 federal government initiative 

Speaking in Maiduguri during the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie described the new committee as not just a structure, but a frontline defence against malnutrition

He said, ” What we are launching is more than a structure; it is a frontline defence against malnutrition. And in a state where too many children suffer stunting, wasting, and Micronutrient deficiencies, this action is timely and bold.

Senesie noted that the idea of formulating the committee aligns with the N774 initiative of the federal government which he described as a game-changer  in bringing solutions to the grassroots level, where attention on mal-nutrition is needed the most

“The N774 initiative flips that narrative. It empowers local government to lead to act, and to deliver results now” he noted

He commended the Borno state government for its commitment to ending malnutrition in the state

“We commend the leadership of Borno state for taking this decisive step and aligning with the Nutrition 774 (N774) Initiative, launched by His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima. The initiative is a game-changer, bringing solutions to grassroots level, where they are needed the most,”

While highlighting the expectations from the committee, he said “These committees must be engines of change, coordinating health, education, agriculture, social protection and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in a Unified mission: to give every child a fighting chance” 

 He pledged UNICEF’s commitment to continuously work with the state government and various actors in the state for the committee to not just be “functional but transformational.

Our correspondent had recently reported that UNICEF raised the alarm over the diversion and reselling of malnourished children’s food in states, including Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, respectively.