UNICEF volunteers take nutrition campaign to Kebbi villages 

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi 

U-Report volunteers under UNICEF have taken a micronutrient campaign to women in villages across Local Government Areas of Kebbi State.

 The campaign was in commemoration of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, MNCH, in Kebbi State.

The volunteers, comprising health workers and other professionals, distributed blended local foods tagged “Tom-Brown,” containing micronutrients needed by children to resist malnutrition.

Speaking in Uuguwar-Jaji village, Kalgo Local Government Area, state vocal person Yassin Garba Hammani said they were touring villages to reduce malnutrition among children.

“We are here to meet with community women, especially mothers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, to enlighten them on micronutrient deficiency and preventive measures,” he said.

“Kebbi has a high level of malnourished children. When funding for ready-to-use therapeutic food ends, we need sustainable solutions. Blending our local foods with the required nutrients is what our campaign is about,” he added.

 He said they had reached communities in Birnin Kebbi and Kalgo and planned to cover five councils.

Registered Nurse Habiba Abubakar said many local foods already contained the needed nutrients. “Today we told the women here about crops they are growing that they can blend together. Groundnuts, sweet potatoes, sorghum, and soya beans are all available here. If they blend these foods for their children, they will get the required energy and nutrients, and malnutrition will be history,” she said.

Emmanuel John, General Manager of Mainstream Ltd, producers of MaZaine Foods, said they taught women how to prepare nutritious meals for children from six months and above. “All the materials we used — groundnuts, sweet potatoes, sorghum, soya beans — are sourced within Kebbi State,” he said.