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Nigeria has an estimated three million stunted children under the age of five.
Mr. Daouda Doumbia, head, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, who made the disclosure on the sideline of an event to commemorate the 2024 World Food Day in Yola, said the situation was a reflection of the severity of undernutrition in the country.
According to him, malnutrition exists in various forms, including micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity rates among adults, which indicates food systems are failing to provide the nutrients necessary for a healthy life.
“Unsustainable agricultural practices threaten our biodiversity, which is vital for ensuring food security. In Nigeria, we have a wealth of local plant and animal species that can enhance our diet and improve the resilience of our agrifood system.”
The FAO official, however, disclosed that the organisation was working to support affected communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
“This week, we commenced the distribution of ‘Tom Brown,’ a locally sourced and highly nutritious supplementary food, targeting 1,000 children under the age of five.
“This initiative is part of our broader efforts to reach a total of 4,680 children across selected IDP camps and flood-affected communities.
“Each child would receive 12kg of supplementary food over an eight-week period to improve their nutritional status and enhance food security among the vulnerable populations.”
Doumbia added that FAO would distribute Safe Access to Fuel and Energy (SAFE) kits to 1,000 households in the same communities, with each kit having a fuel-efficient stove and 28 kg of briquettes.
He explained that the kits were designed to enhance household nutrition, reduce environmental degradation, protect women from the risks associated with firewood collection and promote safe cooking practices.
He emphasised the need for a holistic approach to tackle the challenges, calling for collaboration among the government, private sector, civil society, and local communities.
“Let us work together to ensure every person has access to a healthy and nutritious diet, thereby achieving the goals set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” Doumbia urged.
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UAE Partners NDDC on Development Projects for Niger Delta
The United Arab Emirates, UAE, and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have agreed to set up a joint committee to develop a partnership framework to support development projects and programmes in the Niger Delta region.
This followed a meeting between the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Al-Shamsi, and a delegation from the NDDC, led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, at the UAE Embassy in Abuja.
The NDDC team included the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde and other Directors of the Commission.
Al-Shamsi stated his willingness to collaborate with the NDDC on Information Communication Technology, ICT, education, health, agriculture and youth development. He endorsed the suggestion for a joint team to develop areas of collaboration between the UAE and NDDC.
The UAE envoy commended the NDDC for its development initiatives and said his country was willing to collaborate and support the Commission in executing more development projects.
According to Al-Shamsi: “We are happy with this visit and the opportunity it has given us to explore areas of cooperation and support. We appreciate the robust relationship between UAE and Nigeria.”
The Ambassador expressed satisfaction that his country had normalised its relationship with Nigeria, stating that the national carrier of the UAE, Emirates Airline, had resumed operations between Lagos and Dubai.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer briefed the Ambassador and his team on what the Commission was doing and the achievements it had recorded so far. He specifically asked for collaboration in NDDC Health intervention in the Niger Delta, urging the UAE to assist in equipping the Commission’s Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“As part of our commitment to expanding the frontier of the NDDC’s Public Private Partnership, PPP, I welcome the opportunity to meet with UAE officials to foster collaboration in health, education, as well as oil and gas.”
He said he was eagerly expecting the dividends of the newly forged relationship with the United Arab Emirates and the impact it would have in the Niger Delta region.
