By Ibrahim Imam – Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), an NGO, has urged Ward Development Committee (WDCs) leaders in Bauchi State to advocate the scale up of Micronutrients Powder (MNP) in children’s food to avoid stunted growth.
The Chairman of Steering Committee, Advocacy of the CS-SUNN, Aji Robbinson made the call at one-day Community Dialogue with leaders of WDCs, CSOs and Media in Bauchi on Wednesday.
She said that the programme was aimed at improved nutrients in food of children and mothers.
“We want to ensure the scale-up of micro nutrients powder, a nutrient component that will be added to children’s food,” she said.
Adding that, “That will be done through the Infants and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) adopted in communities and structures of the state government.”
Mrs. Robbinson also urged the WDCs leaders to advocate the use of micro nutrients powder by mothers in communities “because most of the foods don’t contain adequate nutrients.
“The powder does not need any preparation, it will just be added to pap, rice or any food.
“That is why we are here to speak to the community leaders to go and educate their people on the need to add micronutrients powder to children’s food.”
She explained that adequate intake of micronutrients, containing iron, Vitamin A, iodine and zinc was critical for child growth and mental development.
Responding on behalf of the community leaders, Samaila Haruna, leader of the WDCs, thanked CS-SUNN for prompting them on the use of micronutrients powder as childrens’ food components.
Mr. Haruna pledged to transmit same skills and knowledge from the meeting to community members.
Mr. Haruna assured that community leaders would do everything within their power to scale up the usage of micronutrients powder in communities of the 20 local government areas of the state.
SU-SUNN, in collaboration with UNICEF said it was committed to reducing maternal mortality among children and women in Nigeria.
