By Dare Akogun
The Kwara State Government has raised concerns over the alarming rate of malnutrition, highlighting its significant impact on the health and development of residents, noting that malnutrition is a major barrier to the state’s socio-economic growth.
The state Commissioner for Communications Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, stated this during a one-day press briefing on Malnutrition, Dietary Habits, and Locally Available Recipes, held in Ilorin the state capital, reiterating the government’s commitment to eradicating malnutrition.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Communications and attended by media representatives and stakeholders from the state’s three senatorial districts.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mallam Mohammed Yahaya,the commissioner stated that, “Malnutrition remains a significant challenge, impacting the health and development of many in our state. It is not just a health issue but a barrier to the socio-economic growth of Kwara.”
She added, “Today, we gather to address a critical issue that affects the well-being of our communities: malnutrition, dietary habits, and the utilisation of locally available recipes.
“The event is part of our ongoing efforts to inform and engage the public about the dangers of malnutrition and to share the measures the state government is taking to combat it. We have entered into various partnerships and intensified our efforts to ensure that every resident of the state has access to nutritious food.”
In his presentation on malnutrition, Dr. Habeeb Lawal, Manager of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project, Kwara State Ministry of Health, revealed that Nigeria has the highest number of stunted children in the world.
He disclosed that 30 percent of the malnourished children belong to average and well-to-do families.
Dr. Lawal also mentioned that Kwara is one of the states implementing a multisectoral action plan to address malnutrition. “Indeed, the state has the Bible and Q’uran of nutrition to address malnutrition,” he said.
Hajia Jemila Gene from the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasized the importance of consuming locally available recipes.
She advised against the consumption of junk foods and recommended the use of local cuisines. Gene also advocated for home gardening to mitigate the impact of soaring food prices.
“With the recent increase in the prices of food items, it has become more imperative for more Nigerians to get involved in growing some of the food items they consume. People can engage in backyard farming to plant some food items and vegetables,” she suggested.
