REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF have urged nursing mothers to ensure that they embrace exclusive breastfeeding for their infants, as well as breastfeed their babies beyond two years, for healthy growth and brain development.
The Nutrition Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs Ngozi Onuora stated this in Enugu, during a one-day review, planning and scale-up meeting on the first 1000 days dietary diversity initiative in Enugu State, jointly organised by the Enugu State Ministry of Human Capital Development and Poverty Eradication, the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with UNICEF, sponsored by the United States Government.
Mrs Onuora noted that diets rich in critical minerals given to the child in the first 1000 days of his/her life, boosts the child’s growth and development.
She stated that the meeting was designed for the stakeholders in the implementation process to review, plan and scale-up the progress made so far.
She said the United States Government has selected Enugu State as part of it’s programme against malnutrition.
“UNICEF is supporting the state to implement this programme by providing technical support including trainings, capacity buildings, including at Local Government Area ( LGA’s) levels and organising town-hall meetings”.
The UNICEF nutritionist said the Enugu State government had also contributed by providing empowerment materials like motorised milling machines, farm implements, input and others.
She added that the Local Government Councils also played their different roles to ensure the succees of the programme in their domains.
She commended the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies,MDAs involved in the implementation, for their commitments to the success of the programme.
In her presentation, the Enugu State Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Poverty Eradication, Professor. Bennedette Okoli, explained that the programme was very dear to the state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah.
Professor Okoli said that the theme of the meeting: “Combat Child Malnutrition and Enhance Healthy Growth,” reflected the long-term importance of investing in the nutrition and well-being of children during their earliest years.
“The first 1,000 days of life—from conception to a child’s second birthday—represent a critical period for ensuring proper growth, brain development and lifelong health.
“Adequate and diverse nutrition during this period can significantly improve a child’s chances of survival, healthy development and future productivity, ” she said.
The Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Mr Akachukwu Eze, who also represented the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, described the programme as important and timely, for children in the state and the wider society.
He called for total commitment of all concerned in the implementation of these critical programme, to ensure that malnutrition in the state is eradicated.
He said that the Local Governmenr Area had embraced the programe with the view to enhancing the health of children in area.
In her submission, the Vice Chairman, Aninri Local Government Area, Mrs Mary Oluchi, described the programme as worthwhile, saying that the council’s administration would surely implement the initiative to improve the lives of the people.
“In Aninri, whatever programme the UNICEF brings up we will be ready to take it up from there, ” she said.
There were equally key presentation from the Commissioners for Health and Agriculture, as well as the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, a Consultant, Dr David Ugwunta and UNICEF Communication Officer, Dr Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe.
