Bukola Afeni
Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria(CS-SUNN) has called for investment in nutrition for human capital development in Nigeria.
CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Sunday Okoronkwo made the disclosure at a media round table in Abuja.
He also called for innovative financing mechanisms to bridge the human capital development gap.
‘There is a need for increased domestic funding and strategic resource mobilization . Through multisectorial approaches and sustained investments, the country can realize it’s Human Capital Development goals”, he said.
The Executive Secretary further noted that malnutrition not only undermine investments in health and education, but also perpetuates a circle of poverty and under Development.
” We are committed to advancing Nigeria’s nutrition agenda which is exemplified through initiatives such as the Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems 2.0(PINNS- 2.0) project.”
“By advocating for strong nutrition governance, enhanced data availability,and increased domestic funding, CS-SUNN seeks to catalyze transformative change and propel Nigeria towards it’s HCD objectives:, he said.
The Executive Secretary hinted that the recent approval by the Vice President and the establishment of a multi sectorial committee to spear head the FG’s Human Capital Development Program signifies a significant step in enhancing Nigeria’s human capital index with a renewed focus on health and nutrition.
“Nigeria’s HCD vision is for ” Healthy, Educated, and Productive Nigerians by the year 2030″, with targets across three thematic areas ; namely Health and Nutrition, Education and Labour Force. Participation is a strategic move towards addressing poverty and fostering sustainable economic growth through investments in health/nutrition, education, and work force participation”, he said
CSUNN MEAL Officer, Jibrin Ogbaji,said there is socio economic disparity between people living in the urban and rural area in terms of nutrition.
In the same vein, he highlighted that great priority should be on children nutrition so as to improve their wellbeing.
“Nutrition plays an important role in the life of a child. If a child is malnourished , they are prone to every other forms of sickness and disease in their body.
Children are the bedrock of the society and their nutrition should not be neglected”, he said.
He noted that Nigeria has the second highest number of children stunted globally.
“The statistics coming from the country are not really encouraging. It is pertinent that all stakeholders in the health sector should work towards improving nutrition index in Nigeria”, he said.
CS- SUNN Communication Officer Lilian Okafor said that human capital development has a linkage with nutrition.
She disclosed that to attain the skills that will bring about human capital development, nutrition is very crucial.
According to her, the infant young child feeding and exclusive breastfeeding is very important in improving the outcome of a child in life.
“Nutrition plays a critical role in Human Capital Development. It requires investment from the very beginning of life through the provision of adequate nutrition and care for mother and child from childbirth”, she said.
She urged media practitioner to spread the importance of nutrition to policy makers and leaders in the country.
The Communication Officer noted that healthy and well nourished children have a high level of intelligence.
