Day: September 6, 2024

‘I couldn’t feed my three children when my husband abandoned me five years ago. My first child was about nine years old then, while my two other children were about four and two years respectively”.

These are the pathetic words of Mrs Stella Obasuyi, a petty trader in Benin City, Edo State

Obasuyi, who is currently seeking medical treatment for her two children with stunted growth, says she will be very happy if her children could start growing according to their ages.

‘When people ask me about my children’s age, I feel embarrassed to tell them because they look smaller than their age.

‘The youngest, who is seven years old, looks like a three-year-old, while the older child looks like a five-year-old even though she is nine years old.

‘I was devastated when my husband left us. He was the breadwinner of the family while I was assisting in my own little way.

‘I couldn’t feed the children with good food because I was left all alone to provide shelter, food, and educational needs for them.

‘I noticed tha
t the two younger ones were not growing well like their mates, but I didn’t know that it was caused by malnutrition.’

‘It was not until six months ago, when I took them to the hospital, that I was told that they were malnourished. I was told to feed them a balanced diet, food containing vegetables, fruits, protein, and so on.

‘`I am now working very hard to provide good food for my children, but the problem is that it is not easy for me. My income is small, and things are quite expensive in the market’, she said.

Obasuyi’s story is a poignant reminder of the severe impact of malnutrition on families in Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organisation malnutrition remains a significant public health issue in Nigeria, with the country ranking second globally in the burden of stunted children under 5 years old.

‘Severe acute malnutrition affects an estimated 19 million children under 5 years of age worldwide and is estimated to account for approximately 400,000 child deaths each year”, says a WHO report
.

According to UNICEF, severe acute malnutrition remains a major killer of children under five years of age. The situation is worse in developing countries such as Nigeria.

In spite the efforts of various government and non-governmental organizations to address this issue, progress has been slow.

One promising approach to tackling malnutrition is through capacity building for stakeholders.

This involves equipping local healthcare workers, community leaders, educationists, and agriculturalists with the knowledge and resources needed to promote proper nutrition.

To this end, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with Edo State Government recently organised an eight day capacity building workshop on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) for relevant stakeholders.

The Training of Trainers (TOT) course was sponsored by the World Bank in collaboration with Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, ANRiN.

Dr Lois Oriyike, nutrition consultant for the TOT programme, s
aid it was targeted at directly training 120 health personnel in each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

Oriyike said, ‘If we know the skills in MIYCN counselling, it will go a long way to reduce malnutrition in children. ‘It has become necessary that we step up real action to address this situation

‘Nutrition issues are yet to get the attention it should get. It has a major role to play in the development of any nation.

‘Any child that is deprived of good nutrition from gestation; the first 1000 days of life, you have deprived the whole nation of the value that the person should have added to societal development.

She further said, ‘Mothers should eat healthy food before pregnancy, during pregnancy and during lactation.

‘Breastfeeding is a major health intervention for babies. So, nutritious food should be available to mothers and adolescent girls who will also become mothers in the future.

She stressed the role of fathers in curbing infant and young child malnutrition, n
oting that breastfeeding was not a woman’s affair.

Similarly, Dr Eseigbe Efeomon, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Edo Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasised the importance of training trainers to educate healthcare workers on MIYCN.

Efeomon said, ‘This initiative aims to address the growing malnutrition problem in Nigeria, which stems from both lack of knowledge and food insecurity.

‘With the current economic challenges, it is crucial to promote the consumption of locally produced, healthy foods’, Efeomon said.

He said that educating mothers on breastfeeding techniques and the significance of proper nutrition would help protect children from diseases and ensure proper growth.

‘Well-nourished individuals have stronger immunity and are better equipped to resist common illnesses.’

According to Dr Olufemi Olaniyi, Consultant Paediatrician Haematologist at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, malnutrition contributes to 50 per cent of under-five mortality.

‘Malnutrition is
either a primary problem or diseases can make children malnourished.

‘So, addressing malnutrition is a key intervention in stemming the tide of children dying early’, Olaniyi said.

Olaniyi, a participant at the training, noted that people needed to be empowered to improve their economic status to enable them to tackle malnutrition.

‘The fact that food is expensive means that people need to be empowered to afford the necessary food that will provide a balanced diet for their children and even for breastfeeding mothers”, he said.

In the case of Mrs Stella’s children, where the malnutrition was obvious, Olaniyi, says malnutrition can be hidden, which is known as hidden hunger.

‘A child can be eating large quantities of food, but if these foods don’t have the required amount of micronutrients, they can have nutrient deficiencies called hidden hunger.

‘Iron, iodine, and zinc are part of micronutrients. If children are not getting enough, they may have poor cognitive functions. The children are not sharp, th
e brain is not developing optimally’, he said.

Mr David Ogubor, Director of Agricultural Services and Extension, Edo Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, another participant, said the training was apt.

Ogubor said the ministry was advocating for homestead farming, assuring that extension agents would educate women farmers on planting local food to mitigate hunger

‘For those of us who are in the agricultural sector, nutrition comes from producing food; the cereals, legumes and vegetables.

‘The amount that is available at every meal is very important. We engage with communities, and we will take this message of nutrition to our farmers, especially women, on ways to improve the nutrition status of their families.

Emphasising the correlation between nutrition and academic performance, Mrs Josephine Irabor, Health and Safety Officer, Edo State Universal Education Board, said child nutrition should be given top priority.

Irabor said knowledge gained at the TOT training would be cascaded to both teachers
and pupils in order to produce both healthy and intelligent children.

‘It is only when children are healthy that they can do well in their academics. The knowledge and skills acquired will be cascaded in schools.

‘Teachers would be taught nutrition so that they can teach the children the importance of eating healthy foods.

‘A child that is not well fed can easily become sick and not be able to come to school’, she said.

She urged mothers to give their children more locally sourced food, like maize and vegetables rather than processed food.

All hands must be on deck to tackle malnutrition in the state, says Mrs Phi-Imade Amenze, Edo State Nutrition Officer.

Amenze said the TOT training was to empower health workers and other stakeholders with specific knowledge on good counselling for breastfeeding mothers.

She said the training was also about how mothers could be educated to use food within their locality to feed their children.

We need initiatives that involve hospitals, workplaces, communities, trad
itional and religious institutions to improve MIYCN’, she said.

There is no doubt that TOT capacity building initiatives on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition aims to empower those on the frontlines with the tools to identify and address malnutrition effectively.

It is therefore expected that the trainers cascade the knowledge and skills acquired to other stakeholders as well as to the grassroots.

By prioritising nutrition education and support at the grassroots there is hope that the cycle of malnutrition can be broken, ensuring a healthier future for the children of Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), has restated its commitment towards collaborating with the University of Maiduguri Consultancy Services to enhance the quality of its work.

The Director-General of the agency, Saleh Abubakar disclosed this during an engagement with the University Consultancy Services on Thursday in Kano.

He said the collaboration was for various tree plantation projects.

‘We are partnering with the University Consultancy Services to improve our work and have more collaborations.

‘We have just had a meeting with them now and we will improve our work. We have built bridges.

‘We realised that there were things done in the past, but the results are negative.

‘We are going back to the drawing board. With the advice we received from the university consultants gathered here, we are going to do things differently,’ he said

He said that the meeting which was attended by 11 frontline states, underscores the significance of the partnership in addressing environmental challeng
es in the region.

Prof. Adamu Umaru, from the University of Maiduguri, described the engagement as ‘fruitful’ and noted that vital issues would be archived.

He added that the partnership between the NAGGW and University Consultancy Services is expected to boost environmental efforts in the region, particularly in the areas of tree plantation and sustainable land management.

According to him, the consultants are facing challenges in so many areas of their work but expressed optimism that the new director-general will address the hitches for overall success of the agency.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has called on global leaders to embrace multilateralism and reject protectionism as essential steps towards achieving lasting peace, security and stability.

President Tinubu said this in his address at a meeting on peace and security at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), on Thursday in Beijing, China.

He made the remark in his capacity as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement.

According to the President, the challenges facing today’s world – ranging from food insecurity to armed conflict – can only be addressed through partnerships founded on mutual respect, fairness, and inclusiveness.

‘I thank the African Union for being very consistent in their advocacy for global peace and working towards the realisation of its vision for a peaceful and secure Africa as articulated in Agenda 2063.

‘The AU’s Silencing the Guns Initiative has been pivotal in restoring peace across the continent and re-enfo
rcing the call for global peace,’ he said.

He said as the world searched for new ways of establishing an enduring peace amidst complicated and dynamic security challenges across regions, there was need to rethink the approach to global governance and economic development.

‘Embracing multilateralism and rejecting protectionism and strengthening cooperative partnership is essential if we must achieve lasting peace, security, stability, and prosperity for future generations.

‘We have very little time left and I send sincere appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its unwavering commitment to building a shared future for the advancement of humanity,’ the President said.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, good governance, and security across West Africa, while commending China’s contributions to Africa’s development through initiatives like the Belt and Road and FOCAC.

He also highlighted the importance of confronting the root causes of conflicts, such as poverty, inequality and
social injustice.

He emphasised that true peace was not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity, economic opportunity and human security.

‘Nigeria has played a pivotal role in ECOWAS evolution. Throughout the bloc’s transition from an economic bloc to an integrated regional security architecture for West Africa, Nigeria has been there at the forefront.

‘Nigeria’s leadership has been critical in developing mechanisms for conflict resolution and management.

‘ECOWAS remains deeply committed to upholding good governance, combating terrorism, providing humanitarian aid, and engaging in intensive peacekeeping, diplomacy, and mediation,’ he said.

He said Nigeria’s approach to fostering peace and stability in West Africa was comprehensive, combining military intervention, diplomatic engagement, dialogue, negotiations and mutually-beneficial economic collaboration.

‘Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to peacebuilding has solidified its position as a cornerstone of regional stability.

‘We will
continue to strengthen our efforts in support of a more secure and prosperous West Africa. I assure you,’ the President stated.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised states in the central and southern parts of the country to prepare for potential floods that would soon affect downstream communities.

The states, according to NEMA, include Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers, and Bayelsa.

NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, disclosed this in a statement by the Head of Press Unit, Mr Manzo Ezekiel, in Abuja.

She said that the alert followed the recent flood that impacted many communities across some states and the rising water levels in River Benue and River Niger.

‘The advice has become imperative to activate the state, local government authorities and communities to take necessary actions to mitigate against the risk of flooding.

‘It is also important to avoid the scale of losses recorded so far in areas that have been impacted.

‘Such areas have suffered misfortune including loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant damage to property and infrastructures,’ Umar said.

She liste
d some of the actions to be taken to include immediate clearing of blocked drainages, constructing temporary flood barriers, and evacuating from flood plains to safe higher grounds.

The D-G advised communities to stay informed through weather updates and flood warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

‘Residents are advised to avoid crossing flooded areas, relocate from flood-prone zones, and cooperate with local emergency services,’ she said.

Umar said that NEMA was working closely with state emergency management agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that necessary support, including rescue and relief operations, were available to affected communities.

She said that the collaboration with relevant stakeholders was through the National Emergency Operations Centre situated in the agency’s headquarters.

She emphasised the importance of early action and community vigilance.

‘We urge all residents, especially in vulnerable are
as, to heed our warnings and take immediate preventive measures to safeguard lives and property.

‘Preparedness is key to reducing the impact of flooding,’ Umar said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Awele Elumelu, Co-Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation and other experts, have urged women to leverage opportunities in emerging technology.

This, they said, is by using principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), to drive transformational change.

They gave the advice at the 2024 Women Directors Conference of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD), on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had ‘Leading in a Disruptive Age: Opportunities in Emerging Technology, DEI and Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG)’ as its theme.

Elumelu, also Chairperson, Avon Healthcare, stated the need to rethink leadership in an ever-changing world, especially in the current disruptive age of rapid technology.

According to her, women must embrace disruption as a catalyst for innovation and growth as this new era offers chances to step into places that were previously inaccessible.

‘Women must anticipate change, prepare for change, break down traditional barriers an
d step into leadership roles with purpose and must become well positioned to champion the change.

‘We set up the foundation to empower and uplift young African entrepreneurs.

‘Knowing the importance of women’s involvement and empowerment, we funded over 8,000 women-owned businesses across all African countries, which make up 46 per cent of our entrepreneurs.

‘We are one more step to overcoming the barriers that limit women and as female directors, we have the power to shape the future.

‘Women must also continue to learn and reinvent themselves to create a world where women are at the forefront of innovation and inclusive change,’ she said.

Also, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo, President, CIoD, said the world was at a pivotal juncture, an era defined by unprecedented technological advancements, evolving societal dynamics, and a growing imperative for environmental and social responsibility.

Borodo said as boards grappled with disruptions, the role of women directors became more critical.

He said by embracing eme
rging technologies, championing DEI, and driving ESG initiatives, women could help their organisations thrive in a rapidly changing world.

‘The leadership, vision, and expertise that can be provided by the female genders in the boardroom are indispensable in navigating the complexities of this disruptive age and seizing the opportunities that emerge.

‘Women directors are uniquely positioned to shape development and deployment of these technologies as their understanding of emerging trends, combined with ability to think critically and strategically, can ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and ethically.

‘DEI and ESG are no longer just buzzwords; they are essential components of successful organisations as studies have consistently shown that companies with diverse leadership teams outperform those that are not.

‘By championing DEI and ESG initiatives, women directors can help to break down barriers, create opportunities for under-represented groups, and foster a more inclusive and equitabl
e society,’ he said.

Mrs Debola Osibogun, Chairman of the Women Directors Development Committee, CIoD, noted that Nigeria is at a crossroads, witnessing rapid advancement of technology and increasing focus on sustainability and inclusivity.

Osibogun noted that women leaders have consistently demonstrated their ability to champion sustainability, promote diversity, and foster inclusive growth.

She encouraged women to further leverage their strengths to enhance leadership impact.

‘We cannot claim that there are no challenges in ensuring DEI in the workplace and adhering to ESG principles for long-term value creation.

‘It is in times of challenges that effective leadership becomes important and indispensable in creating growth and opportunities.

‘The decisions we make and the actions we take will have lasting effects on our organisations and communities,’ she said.

Similarly, Mr Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director, Ecobank Ltd., stressed that building organisations with best governance practices was crucial,
particularly with the current state of the country.

Lawal said Nigeria must build a business environment that prioritises technology and service led to drive growth and success of the country.

‘This event presents the opportunity to churn ideas which move to ideology, to policies, to action, to transformation that the country requires for the benefit of all stakeholders,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria