By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling acute malnutrition among children and pregnant women in Borno State, with Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Area identified among the worst-affected areas.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Aminu Usman, stated this on Thursday in Maiduguri during the launch of the Borno Youth-Led Nutrition Innovation Challenge, an initiative aimed at promoting affordable and nutritious meals for vulnerable families.
Usman, who delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF’s Borno Field Office, Tarek Akkad, warned that preventing acute malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday, was crucial to protecting children’s health and development.
According to him, malnutrition contributes significantly to nearly 50 per cent of deaths among children under five globally, underscoring the need for preventive action.
He explained that the challenge would mobilise young people, including members of the U-Report network, to develop affordable meal plans for vulnerable families, particularly pregnant women and young children.
Usman noted that a team of professionals would assess the proposals and select the most affordable, realistic and nutritious plans for families in Borno State.
He stressed that the initiative went beyond a competition, as it would encourage young people to promote nutrition awareness in their communities and become advocates for child health and rights.
He acknowledged funding support from the United Kingdom government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), adding that UNICEF would provide technical support to participants throughout the challenge.
Usman reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with relevant partners to prevent deaths from acute malnutrition among children and pregnant women.
Also speaking, Dr Mala Abdulwahab of the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board raised concern over the nutrition crisis, noting that MMC and Jere were among the worst-affected areas.
She explained that the board would support the initiative by linking it with primary healthcare structures, mothers’ support groups and vulnerable families.
Abdulwahab urged young people to contribute their ideas, energy and knowledge of their communities to developing practical solutions to malnutrition.
The challenge is being implemented in partnership with UNICEF, the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, the Foundation for Alternative Learning for Underserved Communities (FALUC), U-Report Nigeria and the University of Maiduguri.
