(AFRICAN EXAMINER) - The Enugu state government is partnering with The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), towards addressing all forms of child malnutrition issues in the state.
According to the UNICEF report ,152,243 under the age of five are affected. As 64 percent of children between 0 -5 months are denied the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.
Speaking in Enugu during a one day engagement/policy dialogue with state and local government executives on Investment in Nutrition and the N774 initiative, Chief of UNICEF field office in Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to tackle the challenge in the state.
She however, applauded the present administration in Enugu state under Governor Peter Mbah for implementing policies geared towards addressing the issue.
According to her, "these forward looking Initiatives reflect a profound commitment to addressing and ultimately eliminating all forms of malnutrition, with particular attention to the well being of children"
Chiluwe, who was represented by the UNICEF Nutrition specialist, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, said "NDHS, 2023/24 reports shows that 156, 272 children in Enugu state, under five years of age, have stunted growth due to poor nutrition. While 64 percent of children between 0 -5 months are denied the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding".
"The Government of Enugu state has recently demonstrated exemplary leadership through its contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund and the review of the State's Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Nutrition" she stated.
"UNICEF highly commends these laudable efforts and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working hand in hand with the government of Enugu state to translate this strategic plan into tangible outcomes that will secure a healthier future for every child".
She described the dialogue as a catalyst for transformative change enabling the state to cue into the Federal Government's N774 initiative.
Our Correspondent reports that N774 is the federal government's vision for improved child nutrition in all the 774 local government areas in the country. For Enugu state, it's N17, because the state is made up of 17 local government council areas.
Chiluwe advocated for the approval of the Updated Enugu state Multisectoral Strategic Plan on Nutrition to guide the implementation of nutrition interventions in the state, aligning with national strategic plans.
The UNICEF Chief, also advocated for a strategy of integrating nutrition across social service sectors like health, education, agriculture, as a means of ensuring that every child has the opportunity of accessing nutritious meals.
"As enshrined in the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, let us walk the talk and make six months paid maternity leave a reality, not just in policy but in practice. In addition, let us make work places breastfeeding friendly. All we require is 10-metres of space to create safe and hygienic lactation spaces, is that too much to ask?".
In her presentation as the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mrs. Onuorah, explained that the federal government N774 policy, which narrowed down to N17 for Enugu state, underscored the strategy of 'Bottom to UP' approach adopted by National Economic and Regulation Council NERC ,targeted at strengthening social actions for food security.
She hinted that the 36 state governors totally agreed to the N774 Initiative, adding that the current serving local government chairmen have signed and agreed before their respective state governors to replicate the trend in their local communities, as a measure of enhancing affordable nutritious meals in every household.
Welcoming the participants earlier, the Enugu State commissioner for Budget and Economic planning, Barr. Chris Ozongwu, expressed appreciation to UNICEF, his ministry and the State Committee on Food and Nutrition for putting together the Engagement programme, saying it is critical and timely.
"This initiative, as many of us know, is a government-led multi-sectoral coordination platform for nutrition, designed to operate across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, with the aim of scaling up high-impact, cost-effective nutrition interventions".