UNICEF has expressed worry over the prevalence of malnutrition in Benue state, claiming that over 283,727 children are stunted as a result of malnutrition.
Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, voiced concern Thursday in Makurdi at a Coordination meeting of all partners, stakeholders, and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, on the execution of Benue state’s food and nutrition program.
Mrs. Chiluwe, who was represented by UNICEF Nutrition Specialist Ngozi Onuora, stated that the situation was exacerbated by the fact that “almost one out of two (43%) children are denied the vital benefits of exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months of life in Benue State.”
Mrs. Chiluwe stated that “Benue State, though the Food Basket of Nigeria alone, has stunting rate of 21 percent (representing 283,727 children under five years of age), underweight prevalence of 13.6 percent, and nearly 1 out of 2 (43 percent) children are denied the vital benefits of exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months of life in Benue.”
“Unfortunately, malnutrition has become a silent emergency, and this silent emergency receives far too little attention.”
The Chief of Field Office promised that the worldwide organization was always ready and willing to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to reduce the threat of malnutrition in the state and country.
According to her,
“UNICEF is committed to working with all of our partners in government and other UN agencies, the media as well as civil society and the private sector to help propel this global movement forward.”
She opined that “the stakes could not be higher; and the path to progress could not be more clear; it is time for all of us to seize this opportunity.
“The causes of stunting may be complex, but in the end, our choice is very simple.
As simple as whether a child can survive and then thrive. As simple as whether a child can learn and then earn. As simple as whether a nation and its states can take crucial people out of poverty. As simple as nutrition.”
The Chief stated that “investments in Scaling-Up Nutrition will yield immediate returns. They will save and contribute to lives, enable children and their mothers to have a better future, contribute to livelihoods, reduce poverty, and contribute to the economic growth of nations.
“Yet nutrition has a perennial low attention in Nigeria and in Benue state and has therefore contributed to the high global malnutritional rates.”
In her presentation on nutrition activities in Benue from 2022 till date, the State Nutrition Focal Person, Mrs. Faustina Shar said a comprehensive review of results in 2021 showed significant decline in child food poverty rate across the states but Benue showed higher levels compared to other states.
She said “this implied that more hands needs to be on deck to ensure children’s access to adequate nutrition for their development.”
Prof. Mathew Anigo, speaking on multi-sectoral collaboration and financing, highlighted that malnutrition was responsible for 54% of mortality among children under the age of five.
Prof. Anigo, who cited climate change, the Russia/Ukraine war, and other issues affecting nutrition in the country, stated that a public/private cooperation was urgently needed to solve the problem.
To reverse the trend, he urged leaders to show political will, as well as implement nutritional strategies and policies.