UNICEF advocates adequate attention to nutrition

BY CHARLES AKPEJI

Piqued by the high rate of malnutrition in the north-eastern parts of Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has suggested that adequate attention should be given to the nutrition of women especially pregnant women to reduce severe and acute malnutrition .

Journalists as also advocated by them, should as well come together in leadership to take actions on malnutrition for a better growth and well-nourished Nigeria in the future.

Olumide Osanyinpeju, a UNICEF consultant, made this known on Wednesday at the ongoing two day media dialogue with journalists and interface with on air personalities (OAPs) on child malnutrition in the north-east.

The programme is ongoing in Yola, Adamawa state.

Urging journalists to do the needful in order to reduce death rates especially among children he said, “Let us share the vision to see that every citizen has food that is nutrition secured by mobilizing people at grass root level to know their rights with regards to food by involving policy makers.”

Osanyipeju also urged the media to Work with the government and see how to tackle the issue of stunting, wasting and obesity to its minimal level.

“We have to define the strategic objectives of improving food security at the national, community and household levels,” he said.

“You are encouraged to raise awareness and understanding of the problem of malnutrition in Nigeria and resource allocation for food and nutrition security at all levels.

“It is necessary that awareness be created amongst Nigerian populace especially for mothers; both lactating and non-lactating mothers to give within the first six months of birth the breast milk which is enough for the infant, as nutrition is the key to national development.”

Urging journalists to tread extra legitimate miles to assist n addressing malnutrition in the region, he said ” It is imperative to combat Malnutrition, because it can cause death in young children, particularly those under five years of age. There should be concerted effort to fight malnutrition out in totality to ensure the attainment of desired results.

The workshop which was organized by the UNICEF in collaboration with the ministry of information.