With approximately 31 million Nigerians facing food insecurity, Kwara is stepping up efforts to combat child malnutrition and improve health outcomes for its youngest citizens.

This urgency was highlighted on Thursday in Ilorin, where UNICEF’s chief of Child Nutrition Development, Nemat Hajeebhoy, engaged state and local government committees on food and nutrition in a focused orientation meeting.

Ms Hajeebhoy underscored the severity of childhood poverty in Nigeria, revealing that two out of every three children suffer from malnutrition, a crisis that persisted in spite of Nigeria’s growing economy.

“Ranked second only to India in the global burden of malnourished children, Nigeria faces significant challenges that demand coordinated action. Central to addressing these challenges is the promotion of breastfeeding during the critical first 1,000 days of life-a window when optimal nutrition is crucial for physical growth and cognitive development.

“Breast milk provides essential nutrients and protection against illness, helping children grow healthier and smarter,” Ms Hajeebhoy explained.

The UNICEF official urged local government leaders to maintain detailed records of babies in their jurisdictions to facilitate targeted interventions. She also called for universal immunisation coverage and safe childbirth practices to reduce infant and maternal mortality.

Recognising the importance of environmental factors, Ms Hajeebhoy stressed the need for clean water, sanitation, and open-defecation-free communities to prevent disease and promote overall child health.

Emphasising UNICEF’s concerns, the health commissioner, Amina El-Imam, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to child nutrition policies. She highlighted ongoing initiatives, including promoting exclusive breastfeeding through supportive maternity leave policies that allow civil servants six months to nurture their infants.

The local government community also pledged its backing.

AbdulRahman Ladan, representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Kwara, lauded the partnership between UNICEF and the state government, promising that all LGAs would prioritise children’s health and take ownership of nutrition programmes.

(NAN)