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By Ridwanullahi Odofin
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, has unveiled 1,982 of 3,964 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to combat severe acute malnutrition among children in the state.
Speaking at the handover ceremony today in Ilorin, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating childhood malnutrition.
“Our contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund is a reaffirmation of our continued dedication to eradicating malnutrition among our children in Kwara State.
“Our partnership with UNICEF is not just a collaboration but a strong mission to uphold the fundamental rights of women and children. And we will continue to make major advances towards improving child health and nutrition.
Represented by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, Prof. Mamman Jibril, the governor, said the partnership with UNICEF was established through discussions in late 2023, which led to a joint investment of $200,000 in RUTF, with each partner contributing $100,000.
“The journey to this important occasion started late 2023 with discussions with top officials of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“The discussions centred around prioritizing the nutritional needs of Kwara children such that malnourished children are nurtured back to good health.
“UNICEF offered a platform called the Child Nutrition Fund where the organization will partner with any State Government that is ready to pay an amount not less than $100,000 to provide Ready-To –Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for malnourished children. They offered to match whatever is paid equally.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, in her part, praised the commitment of the Kwara State Government to child welfare, emphasising the importance of sustained partnerships in combating malnutrition.
Earlier in her welcome address, the state Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, noted that RUTF is a supplement developed to help malnourished children overcome nutritional deficiencies.
Emphasising the importance of good nutrition for the mental and physical development of children, Dr Arinde added that the supplement is not just a life-saver but also a destiny-saver for malnourished children, as it gives them a second chance to live quality lives.
“The importance of good nutrition for the mental and physical development of children cannot be over-emphasized. RUTF is a condiment developed to help malnourished children overcome their nutritional inadequacies and be able to grow well like their contemporaries.
“It is not just a life-saver but also a destiny-saver for malnourished children as it gives them a second chance to live quality lives.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, said that with the support of the Governor, multiple interventions are underway to tackle the surge of malnutrition.
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