By Chris Nyamtu
The First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi, has called on governments at all levels to prioritise increased budgetary allocations to address malnutrition in children and anaemia among pregnant women, as part of efforts to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
She made the appeal while hosting a delegation from the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria in her office in Lafia, the state capital.
Hajiya Abdullahi Sule expressed concern over the rising cases of malnutrition and anaemia among pregnant women across communities, noting that interventions have remained inadequate to curb the trend.
She described both conditions as major threats to societal development and economic progress, stressing the need for a renewed commitment and collective action to tackle the challenge.
“Government must refocus its priorities and channel substantial resources to ensure that the food consumed by our children and pregnant women is nutritious. It is unacceptable for our children to continue to suffer from malnutrition. We must enable them to realise their full potential through improved nutrition,” she said.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Mrs Hauwa Jugbo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yona, commended the state government for increasing the annual budget for nutrition and anaemia programmes from ₦10 million to ₦15 million.
She also called for stronger collaboration among civil society organisations, government ministries, and agencies to promote women’s economic empowerment and improve household nutrition.
Leader of the delegation, Mr Rildwan Awosaya, lauded the state government for approving a six-month maternity leave for civil servants, describing it as a significant step towards improving child nutrition.
Mr Awosaya emphasised the need for sustained advocacy to ensure that women, children, and vulnerable groups have access to adequate nutrition. He also highlighted the importance of empowering women with skills to meet their children’s nutritional needs.
He further commended the Nasarawa State Government for contributing ₦125 million towards a UNICEF matching grant for the procurement of essential nutrition commodities, particularly in the fight against anaemia and other nutrition-related deficiencies.
As part of their three-day advocacy visit to Nasarawa State, the delegation including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, engaged with key nutrition champions and government officials, including the Head of Civil Service, faith-based organisations, and the National Council of Women Societies. (Radio Nigeria)