*The Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency says affected children currently are experiencing a high degree of stunting as a result of nutrient deficiencies resulting in infection, inadequate psychosocial stimulation and other life-threatening complications

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

On the menace of malnutrition in the state, a survey has revealed that 60 percent of children under the age of five years are suffering from impaired growth due to acute severe malnutrition in Jigawa State of Nigeria.

The report indicates the affected children currently are experiencing a high degree of stunting as a result of nutrient deficiencies that make them prone to infection, inadequate psychosocial stimulation and other life-threatening complications.

Dr Kabir Ibrahim-Aliyu, Executive Secretary of Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, highlighted outcome of the survey during an advocacy meeting held Thursday, in Kano, Northern Nigeria.

Cases of malnutrition in Africa   Photo: File

Ibrahim-Aliyu said that despite the commitment of the state government in tackling the issue of malnutrition, the number of stunting Children continue to progress on alarming rate.

The Jigawa State Government organised the forum in collaboration with Aisha Buhari Foundation (ABF).

The advocacy meeting, which drew the participation of the 27 Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen of Jigawa State and critical stakeholders on nutrition was meant to reevaluate the menace of malnutrition in the state.

The Executive Secretary said: “In the past 3-years, the Jigawa State Government has committed not less than N300 million as part of effort to improve nutrition among the children under the age of five.

“And I want to assure you that we will not relent in our efforts towards ensuring free malnutrition in the state, especially with the support of the Aisha Buhari Foundation and other supporting agencies.”

He stated there is much improvement in the state on the issue of managing malnutrition compared to 10 years back.

The state hopes that as time goes on, more improvement can be recorded, he said.

Alhaji Aminu Sani-Gumel, Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Jigawa State Chapter, also said the Council Chairmen had been putting a lot of efforts in the struggle against malnutrition.

Every year, each of the chairmen spends over N200,oo0 monthly as commitment to ending the malnutrition challenges in the state.

Omole Ukwedeh, Project Coordinator of Aisha Buhari Foundation, noted the meeting was aimed at creating awareness on the menace of malnutrition.

Ukwedeh said: “The meeting was also to ensure that all government efforts on nutrition are highlighted.

“It was also to sensitise the participants on the malnutrition situation in the state, update the stakeholders on government efforts towards reducing and managing malnutrition in the state, update the LGA chairmen about Masaki Nutrition Initiative Advocate for sustainability of LG nutrition funding,” she stated.