By Khalid Idris Doya
Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria - September 5, 2025 (Series News Online)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the governments of Bauchi and Plateau States to intensify efforts in addressing child malnutrition. UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, made the call during her recent visits to both states.
In Bauchi, Saeed met with Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who highlighted the state's efforts to strengthen healthcare and education. She witnessed community initiatives making a positive impact, including fathers spreading health messages and mothers supporting each other through Mama2Mama groups.
"I saw how community groups are changing lives... The passion and commitment of these groups, especially the women, left me deeply inspired," Saeed said. At a nutrition facility, she met children battling severe acute malnutrition and commended Bauchi State's recent release of N300 million to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), which UNICEF will match.
"No child should suffer this way. Their survival depends on the choices and actions we take now, not tomorrow," Saeed emphasized, urging governments and communities to prioritize child nutrition.
Saeed then visited Plateau State, where she commended the government for investing in the CNF. She handed over over 5,300 cartons of nutrition supplements to benefit 15,000 children. However, she expressed concern over the high prevalence of stunting among children under five in the states.
"Nearly half of children under five are stunted. Sustained action is needed now. States must release pledged funds quickly and invest in locally available, nutritious foods so that children can grow strong and healthy," she said.
"If governments, communities, and partners come together for children and act with urgency and unity, we can give every child in Nigeria the chance not just to survive, but to truly thrive," Saeed added.
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Nutrition