Religious leaders in Gombe state have restated their support to the fight against malnutrition.
This commitment came from the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Reverend Father Joseph Alphonsus, and the state Secretary of Jama’tul Nasrul Islam, Alhaji Sale Danburam, during separate advocacy visits by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition Gombe chapter.
The two religious leaders acknowledged that malnutrition is deadly and capable of hindering both human and societal development.
They said the current economy and high cost of living is capable of spiking up malnutrition among family members, calling on governments to proffer solutions to the menace.
The CAN and JNI leaders in the separate response also commended members of the coalition for dedicating themselves to the fight and promised to keep speaking to their followers at churches and mosques.
Earlier, the state Coordinator of CS-SUNN Mrs Comfort Amos-Mukollo, had explained to the two religious leaders that the advocacy is to canvass for the support of leaders in propelling the crusade against malnutrition in the state.
She said CS-SUNN identifies religious leaders as strategic channels for reaching out to the public with the message, considering their closeness to their followers.
Amos-Mukollo also explained that through advocacy, the coalition pushes for extension and paid maternity leave from four to six Months, adequate budgeting and timely release of funds for nutrition activities across line ministries, departments and agencies.
She added that CS-SUNN also conducts sensitisation on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, household training on how to use locally available food for young children and hygiene among others which are targeted as preventive rather than curative measures to malnutrition.
