By Sani Idris

The Kaduna state government, has achieved numerous successes in addressing the issues surrounding malnutrition in the state.

Chairman of the Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), Mr Bashir Muhammad MNI, stated this on Thursday at a
breakfast meeting with key stakeholders and political office holders on the adoption of the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) and Implementation of six-month paid maternity leave in Kaduna.

The meeting, was supported by UNICEF, and facilitated by Civil Society Scalling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).

According to Muhammad, stunting and wasting has drastically reduced based on the intervention of the Kaduna State government.

He disclosed that the governor of the the state has approved a huge amount in the sum of 400 million naira to match the support from UNICEF, all tailored toward addressing malnutrition in the State.

He, therefore, said the meeting was basically advocacy and sensitisation in order to look at the strategies needed to be adopted in the reduction of malnutrition and improve nutrition.

“Interestingly, we had a lot of advocacy visit to many MDAs which was a success.
During our visit to the state Assembly, they graciously constituted a committee on food and nutrition which of course is what we are looking forward to see.

“Therefore, all the policies that need attention to be legalised
would ensure a smooth way for us to get the policies legal
especially the six-month paid maternity leave that the kaduna State Government is operating and some other states in Nigeria.

“This is something very good. It has helped in of course improving the breastfeeding by our nursing mothers,”he said.

Speaking further, the SCFN chairman said crèche is another tool that improves nutrition, where the state’s Planning and Budget Commission has one.

He explained that when a nursing mother comes back from her maternity leave back to office with her child, the crèche is there
comfortable for the child to be nursed.

Muhammad therefore, said they are now advocating for more crèche, especially in the Kaduna State Secretariat,
in the Ministry of Health Complex, Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure,
and especially at the Kaduna State University.

“We want to have this crèches so that we encourage our nursing mothers at work places. This will tailor towards reducing malnutrition in the state,”he said.

He thanked Governor Uba Sani and the legislators for their commitment and dedication to the cause of a nourished children and women in the state.

Earlier, Ms Jessica Bartholomew, the State Coordinator of CS-SUNN in Kaduna, said the essence of the meeting was to unlock resources for nutrition.

She said that CS-SUNN was able to work around increased nutrition financing.

Bartholomew therefore, said they thought it wise to bring together all the stakeholders on nutrition and inform them about where they are in terms of the data, performance and
in terms of even the amount of money that is needed and the gap that exists in funding nutrition in Kaduna State.

She disclosed that there is already a discussion on establishing a directorate of nutrition in the state, emphasising that the state has great commitment and passion for nutrition.

“Right from the Governor of Kaduna State,
we have seen a lot of commitment in his drive to give the 400 million child nutrition matching grants,
which is one of the highest amounts in Nigeria so far.

“We have also seen the commitment of the state to establish a department for nutrition in primary health care
and even the planning and budget commission as a coordinating ministry for nutrition in Kaduna State.

“So it is a discussion on the table, we are here to still advocate, push and ensure that these things happen,”Bartholomew said.

In a goodwill message, UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist, Kaduna Field Office, Chinwe Ezeife, said they are supporting Kaduna State’s efforts to address malnutrition through various initiatives.

She emphasised the importance of prevention, integration, and scale-up of nutrition services to address malnutrition in Kaduna State.

Ezeife said the organisation is working closely with the state government, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure that policies supporting nutrition are legalised and implemented effectively.

Also, the Chairman, Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Jessy Tanko, commended the state government’s efforts in addressing malnutrition.

He said at the state assembly, they recognise the importance of nutrition in promoting healthy growth and development, particularly among children and women, while restating their committee’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve nutrition outcomes.

“We will ensure that policies supporting nutrition are legalised and implemented effectively, ultimately reducing malnutrition in Kaduna State,”Tanko said.