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Lagos State seeks national implementation of nutritional policy

On Aug 24, 2023

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has advocated the implementation of National Food and Nutrition Policy for healthy developmental growth of children. Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry made the call on Wednesday in Lagos when the Civil Society of Scaling- up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) paid her a courtesy visit.

National Food and Nutrition Policy is a document that provides the framework for addressing the problems of food and nutrition insecurity in Nigeria, from the individual, household, community and up to the national level. The overall goal of the policy is to improve the nutritional status of all Nigerians, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable groups, i.e., children, women, and the elderly.

Kalesanwo also expressed concerns over lack of nationally approved nutritional food to be given to children. She also tasked women on the importance of healthy eating to boost children immune system.

“The implemention of Nutritional policy at the National level will help eradicate food deficiencies among children and the entire family. The ministry role in building resourceful women is directed at high productivity for formidable homes, cutting across all strata of the society. Food nutrition is quite germane with the ministry and that is why we reach out women regular to ensure that mothers are well equipped to nurture their children and homes with the appropriate diet,” she said.

Earlier, Mr. Sam Akinyode, the state Coordinator of CS-SUNN said the ministry had 100 per cent rating in the nutrition appraisal report in the second quarter of 2023.

Akinyode also commended the ministry for its effort aimed at promoting nutritional value in the state. He promised that the organisation would continue to collaborate with the ministry and others to achieve optimal nutrition in the state.

Wumi/NAN