Gombe State Executive Council on Wednesday approved state nutrition policy, to curb malnutrition among under five children.
Our correspondent reports that the policy is for five years from 2023 to 2027.
Disclosing this during media briefing shortly after the 36th Council meeting presided by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, Commissioner for Economic Planning Salihu Alkali, said the policy would eradicate nutrition related deaths among children.
Alkali noted that it was approved after it was represented by a sub committee, stressing that
He said, “It was presented at the last council meeting some few weeks back however, the council it’s wisdom chaired by His Excellency, decided to step down the memo saying it need some information and sub committee was set up. Today, the committee after it presentation Council approved the nutrition policy of Gombe State.
“This nutrition policy intends to improve the nutrition of our children in the state, not only to improve but to reduce malnutrition and also poverty. We all know it’s not only Gombe State that is facing the issue of malnutrition it’s all over the country and particularly the Northern states. So, His Excellency, having looked at the situation on ground said if our children are not fed well in terms of health their future is not secured.”
He disclosed that it’s a multisectoral policy, involving ministries and departments and agencies, adding “it combines Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture, and the ministry of economic planning is coordinating all this and donor agencies contribute to the implementation of this policy.”
He added that government would fund the policy with about “N2.3 billion for its successful implementation, to ensure malnutrition in children is reduced drastically in children,” Alkali added.
