ENUGU STATE GOVT ASSURES UNICEF OF IMPROVED INVESTMENT IN CHILD & MATERNAL INUTRITION
REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO
The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) has urged the Enugu State Government to be committed to improved nutrition for mothers and children in the state.
According to UNICEF, this should be seen in development and sustenance of policies that impact positively on nutrition, including child and maternal health.
The Planning and Monitoring Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Maureen Zubie-Okolo, gave the advice during Enugu State Policy Dialogue and Engagement of State Executives and Legislative Councils on Investment in Nutrition.
Mrs. Zubie-Okolo, who explained that the theme of the Dialogue, which is, “Prioritizing Investment in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition,” is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs).
According to the UNICEF official, the 2018 National Demography Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that 152,243 children under five years were stunted in Enugu State.
This, she largely attributed to poor maternal, infant and young child feeding practices during the first one thousand days.
In a keynote speech, the Enugu State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Okelue-Ugwunta, acknowledged the various UNICEF supports to the state, especially a special nutrition intervention programme involving Enugu State and four other states in the country.
Dr. Okelue-Ugwunta pledged the committment of the State Government towards vital investments in child and maternal nutrition.
The event was well attended by UNICEF and Enugu State Government officials, including the Communications Officer, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe; UNICEF Child Specialist, Mr. Victor Atuchukwu; Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji; as well as Commissioners for Education and Health, Professor Uche Eze and Dr. Ikechukwu Obi.
Other dignitaries that graced the occassion were the Executive Secretary of the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu and the Chairman, Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Chief Sam Ngene, Nutrition Analyst from the office of Nigeria Governors Forum Secretariat, Abuja, Mr. Gbenga Sadik.
The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) has urged the Enugu State Government to be committed to improved nutrition for mothers and children in the state.
According to UNICEF, this should be seen in development and sustenance of policies that impact positively on nutrition, including child and maternal health.
The Planning and Monitoring Specialist, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Maureen Zubie-Okolo, gave the advice during Enugu State Policy Dialogue and Engagement of State Executives and Legislative Councils on Investment in Nutrition.
Mrs. Zubie-Okolo, who explained that the theme of the Dialogue, which is, “Prioritizing Investment in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition,” is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs).
According to the UNICEF official, the 2018 National Demography Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that 152,243 children under five years were stunted in Enugu State.
This, she largely attributed to poor maternal, infant and young child feeding practices during the first one thousand days.
In a keynote speech, the Enugu State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. David Okelue-Ugwunta, acknowledged the various UNICEF supports to the state, especially a special nutrition intervention programme involving Enugu State and four other states in the country.
Dr. Okelue-Ugwunta pledged the committment of the State Government towards vital investments in child and maternal nutrition.
The event was well attended by UNICEF and Enugu State Government officials, including the Communications Officer, UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe; UNICEF Child Specialist, Mr. Victor Atuchukwu; Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji; as well as Commissioners for Education and Health, Professor Uche Eze and Dr. Ikechukwu Obi.
Other dignitaries that graced the occassion were the Executive Secretary of the State’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu and the Chairman, Enugu State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Chief Sam Ngene, Nutrition Analyst from the office of Nigeria Governors Forum Secretariat, Abuja, Mr. Gbenga Sadik.