The Gombe State government has introduced the distribution of “Garin Inuwa”, a locally produced complementary food supplement aimed at nourishing thousands of undernourished children across the state.

Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, while flagging off the initiative on Saturday in Gombe, expressed optimism that it would significantly reduce the number of malnourished children.

“The birth of Garin Inuwa is both a response and a resolve,” Mr Jatau said. “It is a product developed from locally sourced ingredients and certified by NAFDAC, representing a significant milestone in our Human Capital Development agenda.”

“This programme is not only a testament to the vision of His Excellency, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, but also proof that sustainable, homegrown solutions can address our most pressing health challenges.”

He highlighted the alarming statistics confronting the state: a stunting rate of 50.6 per cent, a wasting rate of 8.8 per cent, and no fewer than 94,000 children classified as severely malnourished.

The deputy governor explained that the initiative was a collaborative effort among the Ministries of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN).

“Over 1,000 students from selected schools were trained in preparing nutritious food, while trained women were empowered to produce and distribute the supplements—laying the groundwork for entrepreneurial opportunities and broader community impact.

“No solid building stands on a weak foundation; good nutrition is that foundation, and today, we’ve begun to rebuild it, one child at a time,” he said.

In her remarks, Aishatu Maigari, Commissioner for Education, stated that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation was responsible for producing the complementary foods, while the Ministry of Education trained women and students on how to prepare them.

According to her, 200 women and 300 secondary school students have so far been trained in the production of the foods to prevent malnutrition, enabling them to collectively contribute to ending child malnutrition in the state.

(NAN)