The Niger State Nutrition Officer Asmau Abubakar Muhammad has said the insecurity bedevilling parts of the state is increasing the rate of malnutrition in the state.
According to her, several food systems have been affected by the insecurity which is causing hidden hunger in several women and children.
Asmau stated this during a scientific symposium and annual general meeting of the Institute for Dietetics in Nigeria (IDN), Niger State chapter held at the Newgate College of Health Technology Minna, the state capital.
According to her, wasting, also known as hidden hunger, accounts for the majority of cases of malnutrition recorded among individuals of all ages including children, young people, and adults in Niger State.
The nutritionist expressed concern that the displacement of many residents from their communities will increase the number of malnutrition, especially wasting, in the state.
She restated the need for the adoption of traditional and local approaches to address the malnutrition challenges in the state.
This, she said, can be achieved through backyard gardening, appropriate complementary feeding, proper food combination, dietary diversification, and food qualification.
“Our diet does not have to be expensive. If we can get the right quantity of essential foods, it will have a positive effect on our health,” she said.
“We have no reason to be malnourished in Niger State. We have food in abundance. Our problem is only in the aspect of food combination, selection, and awareness of what is required in our diet.
“Having observed that this is a challenge, especially in our rural areas, we are taking up a mandate of taking the message of adopting local approaches to the grassroots,” she said.
The Niger State Commissioner for Health, Muhammad Muhammad Makusidi said the state government has paid N250 million in order to accelerate nutrition in the state.
According to him, the Niger State Government is collaborating with Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) to strengthen nutrition in the state.
“The project requires its partners to pay N50 million yearly as counterpart funding but we went ahead to pay the sum of N250 million. This shows our commitment towards strengthening nutrition in the state,” he said.
He also restated the commitment of the Niger State Government to reducing maternal and infant maternity across the State adding that the current rate of malnutrition in the state is unacceptable.