From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Jigawa state government through Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning organised all the Nutrition’s stakeholders with a support from partners for the validation of Social Behavioural Change strategy on Nutrition in the state.
The strategy, which provides a “road map” to achieve optimal nutrition, social, and behavioral outcomes, will also ensure that activities needed to address critical factors are supported, prioritized, and coordinated.
Speaking to news men, the Director Planning Jigawa state Ministry of budget and economic planning Alhaji Umar Idris explained that, the validation exercise involved all the critical ministries and agencies including Ministry of health, budget, women affairs, Agriculture, empowerment, education, partners, civil society Organisations, Media, traditional and religious leaders among others.
According to him, the overall purpose and objectives of the strategy validation is promote nutrition behaviors across the life cycle – from conception to old age Specific objectives and also to Promote behaviors and the good practice of optimal nutrition for all mothers (pregnant and lactating).
ANOTHER STORY: Call For Almajiri Certification To Integrate Quranic Education Into The Formal System
Other objectives is to promote behaviors and practice for early initiation of breastfeeding for all new born babies within the first one hour of birth; and to promote behaviors and practice for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life;
He maintained that, the validation also will help in promoting behaviors and practice for timely introduction of age-appropriate, nutritious, safe, diverse, and adequate complementary foods from 6 months while continuing breastfeeding up to 24 months or beyond.
While making his remarks, the Special Adviser to Jigawa state governor on Nutrition Alhaji Sa’id Umar said, Jigawa state under governor Namadi’s administration achieved a significant improvement on Nutrition isues.
According to him, Jigawa also witnessed a timely released for nutrition including N250 million counterpart fund for procurement of N500 million RUTF to save malnourished children in the state.
He then assured more committiment from State government for the improvement Jigawa citizens particularly children, women and youths.
