calls for realistic approach to stem the tide.
The Secretary to the Gombe State Government Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi says poverty is largely responsible for the high rate malnutrition among infants and adolescent in the State.
Professor Njodi stated this when granted audience to the National coordinating team on Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria ANRiN led by its National coordinator Omotayo Adeyemi on an advocacy visit.
The SSG described the mal-nutritional outlook in Gombe State as disturbing and therefore commended ANRiN for the initial visit which challenges the State to re-strategise on how to tackle the condition.
“Yes poverty is the key issue because whatever you come out with through your advocacy, what matters to the common man to whom we are all gathered here is does he has the financial capacity to eat right”.
He said the State Government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has since engage the State Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation to come with a complimentary food for malnourished children in the State, a development said to be the first in the country.
Professor Njodi said advocacy alone cannot prepare the ground for the eradication of malnutrition in the State insisting that the project has to make provision for a realistic attainment of a malnutrition free society.
He assured the multi disciplinary team that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya stands in solidarity with any person or organisation desirous of causing a change in the lives of the people.
Earlier speaking the National coordinator of Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria ANRiN project Omotayo Adeyemi said they were in the SSG off with the understanding that his office plays a pivotal role in shaping Government policies and programmes for maximum results and benefits.
He informed the SSG that the demographic survey carried out in 2018 places Gombe as one of the States with a high prevalence rate of malnutrition in the country. This was why Mr. Omotayo said the 5 years ANRiN project will be implemented in Nafada Balanga and Yalmatu Deba Local Government Areas.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget Planning and Development Partners Coordination Dr Ishaku Mohammed assured the team of the State Government support towards eradicating the menace of malnutrition in the State.
Joshua Danmalam
Information Officer
Office of the SSG.
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