Gombe to create nutrition desks in MDAs 

Chima Azubuike

The Secretary to Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, says the government is preparing a document that would compel Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to create Nutrition desks to accelerate nutrition activities in the state.

This, according to the SSG, is to demonstrate the government’s commitment to scaling up nutrition-related activities in the State. 

Njodi disclosed this when he played host to members and leadership of the Accelerating Nutrition Results In Nigeria (ANRiN), who paid him an advocacy visit in his office Friday.

PUNCH HealthWise reports that malnutrition is the deadliest killer of under-five children in Gombe state.

The SSG expressed delight with the successes so far recorded in the implementation of the World Bank-supported Nutrition Project in the state.

The SSG said, “I want to commend the collaboration between ANRiN and the State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in the production of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food to address malnutrition in the state.”

Njodi also recalled that on previous assessment visits of the ANRiN team not much progress was made in the implementation of the project. He, however, expressed happiness with the achievements recorded.

He, therefore, assured of the government’s resolve to pay the counterpart fund and other obligations to make the programme a success in the state. 

On his part, Special Adviser on Budget, Planning and Development Partner Coordination, Dr. Ishiyaku Mohammed lauded the political will of governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and the leadership of the SSG which he said culminated in the success of the project implementation. 

Earlier, the Team Lead of Accelerating Nutrition Results In Nigeria ANRiN Mrs. Chito Nelson, said the team’s visit was the third to assess the level of performance of the project implementation in the state. 

Nelson also appreciated the state government for creating the enabling environment for ANRiN activities to thrive in the state.

She also commended the state government for its consistent payment of counterpart funds and for selecting competent hands as players in the nutrition space. 

The team lead further noted the step taken by the state in the production of complementary nutrition food to address malnutrition.

“It is noble and worthy of emulation by other states,” Nelson said.

She implored the state government to scale up the complementary food production to reach other parts of the country.

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