Parents and guardians in the country have been urged to improve on the diets of their children at early age in order to fight malnutrition.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Ojo Olayinka- Modupe, made the call at a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive and Key Stakeholders on the Adoption of the Child Nutrition Fund and Implementation of Six – Months Paid Maternity Leave in Lagos State.
“Parents do not feed their children with foods that contains the necessary nutrients responsible for the growth of their children and that leaves the child in a compromised situation”.
She called on SUBEB to involve school managers in the crusade on good eating habits so they can drive the information in schools beyond school curriculum.
The Permanent Secretary stated, “there is the need to create interests while the relevant ministries and agencies partner to see how season of fruits and vegetables can be introduced to build up their system and frame in such a way that is fortified for the greater Lagos we envisaged”.
“Ministries like that of the Agriculture, Education, Health, Youths and Sports and the Primary Healthcare Board can collaborate and ensure that seasonal foods and fruits are encouraged instead of allowing them to waste, noting that eating of carrots is good for the eyes but wonders how many children do eat carrots” she asked.
Modupe urged everyone to focus on changing the narrative beyond budgeting for nutrition, noting that, if the programmes and projects that would lead to expected increase in results and outcomes are not strategically projected and forecasted by the line ministries, then the budget will not be utilized in the way for which it is being brought up.
“If you look at the results, it shouldn’t be what Lagos would be reporting.
It does not speak too beautiful of us. Pls as we go to prepare for budget 2026, let it be a major concern to everyone of us to make a change so that by this time next year God willing, Lagos would have scaled in terms of nutrition and healthiness of our children”. Modupe admonished.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Adeola Adegbite said, the slogan in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is “Beyond Academics”.”we are looking at all rounded students.
I already put in my note, opthalmologists will be visiting all our secondary schools for sensitization” adding that, collaboration is so essential and I’m happy it’s coming at this time”.
She said Adegbite gave an assurance that there would be a lot of difference as Lagos is going to move up.
The Executive Secretary, Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria, the Sun Civil Society Alliance for Nigeria, Mr Sunday Okoronkwo, said looking at the 2022- 2024 National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS which shows an increase of wasting in Lagos State which used to be 6.4%, the recent one is over 13% and that gives over 100% increase of wasting, under weight too went up to over 76% increase, stunting is almost at the same rate of about 17%.
According to Okoronkwo, it shows that malnutrition indices in the State is going up and understanding the impact of malnutrition on the economy, the people, the vulnerable group including women and children, it is not a good result.
“Looking at anaemia in Lagos State, women of reproductive age 15 to 45, is about 48 to 50%, that also is not a good data, because it means that at least five out of every ten women is anaemic.
Mr Okoronkwo explained that in the last few days, the organization has been engaging in advocacy with the key line ministries and one of the core asks was for the governor to re-approve and release the one hundred million naira designated for one to one matching for child nutrition for Lagos State and it was approved there by fulfilling the promise of matching the CNF in order to procure some key commodities like MMS and RUTM.
According to him, it is a huge win because of the deteriorating challenge around the new statistics of malnutrition in the State. “what that means is that, shortly, there will be commodities in our PHCs and key areas to be able to combat some of this major challenges of malnutrition.
Another key area was the creation of nutrition department so that nutrition department will have a seat at the table and also be able to implement it’s strategies”.
Okoronkwo stated that the meeting also looked at the gaps in funding and got the commitment that something will be done to reduce the cases of malnutrition in Lagos State as against the impression given that Lagos is free of malnutrition. “We have the challenges of malnutrition in Lagos State.
There are SAM cases, MAM cases and the data space for it. SAM cases in the State has doubled and it’s becoming a burden as there are evidences to show”.
Okoronkwo urged members of the public to eat natural foods that will give all the nutrients needed as chubbiness is not necessarily a sign of good health but another sign of malnutrition which is also rising.
“Some who also eat right eat in large quantities, that is why in nutrition, we no longer talk balanced diet but adequate diet but in quality and in quantity.
Both has to be right for one to get the right nutrients the body needs”.
Okoronkwo advised The Nutrition Data Officer, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Lagos Field Office, Mr Bolutife Ogunjimi, who expressed joy at the re-approved funds for nutrition said next year, UNICEF will commence interventions around SAM treatment in Lagos State.
He said with the current increase in statistics, “urgent action needs to be taken to arrest the situation not leaving behind sensitization of the six pillars of good nutrition which starts with correct and adequate breastfeeding”.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi emphasized that Lagos State already have nutrition department imbedded in Family Health.
She however promised that Lagos would ensure that the Unit is expanded and nutrition activities carried out as planned with the aim of getting better results.
“Six months paid maternity leave marks a significant milestone in the efforts to improve the health and well-being of children and mothers.
It is a testament of commitment to supporting mothers recognizing the crucial role they play in nurturing and caring for our children.
It will enable mothers to bond with their newborn, recover from child birth and see to the health and development of the children so they can grow to add value to the state”.
According to Dr Ogunyemi, although the indices are not where it ought to be, there are activities already in place and malnutrition is one of the key areas government is focusing on.
She urged everyone to work together to build a brighter future for the children and ensure that Lagos State remains a place for everyone to thrive and make meaningful difference in the lives of the citizens.
Present at the breakfast meeting were, Directors and Permanent Secretaries from the relevant ministries and agencies in the State.
