Plateau Records Major Gains in Nutrition Sector, Mobilises ₦500m Through Child Nutrition Match Fund

By: Labaran Ahmed

The Plateau State Government has highlighted significant achievements in its efforts to tackle malnutrition, disclosing that it successfully mobilised ₦500 million through the Child Nutrition Match Fund and secured six truckloads of nutrition commodities to support vulnerable populations across the state.
The achievements were presented during a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as part of activities marking the 2026 National Nutrition Week, celebrated under the theme, "Sustainable Nutrition for Healthcare and Productive Nigeria."
The week-long programme, organised by the Plateau State Government through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, featured several activities designed to raise public awareness, strengthen institutional collaboration and promote sustainable approaches to addressing malnutrition across the state.

The activities commenced on Monday, November 9, 2026, with the launch of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), alongside facility-based nutrition outreaches at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Bukuru Express, and LEA Primary School, Tudun Wada.
On Tuesday, November 10, the state government convened a joint State and Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition meeting at Sarau Event Centre to strengthen coordination and deepen collaboration among stakeholders involved in nutrition interventions.

The programme continued on Wednesday, November 11, with media engagements across television and radio stations to sensitise the public on the dangers of malnutrition and encourage greater participation in nutrition-related interventions.
On Thursday, November 12, the State Nutrition Council meeting was held at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Conference Hall, providing another platform for stakeholders to review progress, discuss challenges and strengthen policy direction for improved nutrition outcomes.

The activities culminated on Friday, November 13, with a sensitisation nutrition walk from the All Airport Roundabout to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Secretariat, followed by a press briefing at the ministry's conference hall in the J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat, Jos.
The nutrition walk brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to demonstrate collective commitment to the campaign against malnutrition.

Participants turned out in colourful outfits, with some wearing pink T-shirts and P-caps, while others appeared in yellow, red, purple and other colours, demonstrating solidarity and collective commitment to promoting proper nutrition.
The press briefing was attended by Permanent Secretaries, directors from various ministries, representatives of development partners, UNICEF, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NAFDAC and other supporting organisations.
Presenting the executive synopsis of the achievements of the Time Is Now administration in the nutrition sector, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Arnan Mantu, reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing malnutrition, which he described as one of the most pressing public health and development challenges confronting the present generation.

He noted that Nigeria carries one of the highest burdens of child malnutrition globally, ranking first in Africa and second worldwide, while Plateau State continues to face significant challenges, with a reported childhood stunting rate of 44.6 per cent.
According to the presentation, malnutrition also carries substantial economic consequences, with Nigeria losing more than $1.5 billion annually in productivity and economic potential.

Recognising nutrition as a fundamental pillar of human capital development, the state government has adopted a multisectoral approach that brings together ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and local communities to address the challenge.

Under the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, nutrition governance and coordination have been strengthened across all 17 local government areas, while the state successfully mobilised ₦500 million through the Child Nutrition Match Fund and secured six truckloads of nutrition commodities for vulnerable populations.

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the contributions of the primary healthcare system, which continues to implement nutrition interventions through treatment, supplementation and community outreach programmes aimed at improving maternal, adolescent and child nutrition outcomes.

Providing further details during his oral presentation, he disclosed that 902,000 children aged between six and 59 months received Vitamin A supplementation during the 2026 reporting period.

He added that 126,592 children benefited from Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS), with 3,470 cartons distributed, while 124 healthcare workers were trained in Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition to strengthen service delivery at the community level.

In the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development expanded farmers' access to fertiliser through the distribution of approximately 500 truckloads, equivalent to 126,000 bags, across the state's 17 local government areas.

Farmers also benefited from improved seed distribution initiatives designed to increase agricultural production, strengthen household food security and improve access to nutritious food.

The education sector also recorded interventions aimed at improving students' nutritional welfare. According to the executive synopsis, 7,288 students benefited from nutrition-related support, while food access was improved in 21 public boarding secondary schools.

School gardening initiatives were equally promoted to encourage sustainable food production and strengthen nutrition education among students.

Similarly, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs contributed to the programme through evidence-based planning, improved stakeholder coordination and advocacy for increased funding to strengthen nutrition programme delivery at the grassroots level.

Another significant intervention highlighted was the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), through which government investment is strengthening livestock production systems.

The project supports improved animal health services, farmer organisation and strategic infrastructure development, including water facilities, livestock markets, abattoirs, a veterinary hospital and a poultry value chain hub.

Beyond government interventions, the presentation acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations and development partners, describing their involvement as critical to the collective effort to address malnutrition.

Organisations such as ASAT were recognised for advancing climate-smart agriculture and reducing post-harvest losses, while NAFDAC was acknowledged for intensifying breastfeeding advocacy and healthy nutrition campaigns.

Community-based organisations, including CENCHIC and HTYF, were also recognised for strengthening household resilience through nutrition screening, caregivers' education, livelihood support, women's empowerment, financial literacy training and household food security initiatives.

The presentation noted that these collective interventions had contributed to improved nutrition awareness, expanded access to services, stronger food systems and enhanced community resilience across Plateau State.

It further emphasised that the achievements reflected the importance of a whole-of-government approach, aligning interventions across health, agriculture, education, local governance, livestock development and civil society.

Speaking during the briefing, Mr Mantu stressed that nutrition was not merely a health issue but a critical investment in human capital development, economic growth and the future prosperity of Plateau State.

He maintained that the government remained committed to sustaining partnerships, expanding investments, strengthening service delivery and accelerating the implementation of nutrition programmes at the community level.

He called on development partners, private-sector actors, civil society organisations, community leaders and citizens to continue supporting the campaign against malnutrition.

He expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would help build a healthier and more prosperous Plateau State where every child is adequately nourished, every family has the opportunity to thrive and every community can achieve its full potential.

Popular posts from this blog

Coach Ahmed Ibrahim Joins Muslims for Eid Prayers in Bukuru, Extends Sallah Greetings

Image
By: Labaran Ahmed The Manager of Golden Boot Soccer (GBS) Academy, Coach Ahmed Ibrahim, popularly known as “Coach Bros,” on Friday joined millions of Muslims across the world to observe the Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Bukuru Eid Ground in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. Coach Ibrahim, who was accompanied by his family, joined other faithful and residents of Bukuru Ward in marking the end of the Ramadan fast in an atmosphere of devotion, unity, and celebration. Speaking shortly after the prayers, the football administrator extended warm Sallah greetings to the Muslim Ummah. On behalf of himself and his family, he wished Muslims in Bukuru and across the globe a peaceful and joyous Eid celebration. He also called on the faithful to sustain the values of sacrifice, tolerance, and love imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan, while promoting peace and harmony within their communities.
Read more

JAMILU DATTI DENIES ADC DEFECTION, ACCUSES SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF MISREPRESENTING MEETING WITH SEYI TINUBU

Image
The ADC candidate for Bassa/Jos-North alleges that a write-up describing his meeting with Seyi Tinubu was altered to suggest he had agreed to join the APC. Hon. Jamilu Lawandi Datti, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Bassa/Jos-North Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, has denied reports that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that a social media post about his meeting with Seyi Tinubu misrepresented the purpose of the encounter and his political position. Datti, popularly known as Raba Gardama, said he remained a member of the ADC and had neither resigned from the party nor agreed to join the APC. In a statement titled “I Have Not Resigned from ADC,” the federal constituency candidate maintained that his political position remained unchanged, reaffirming his commitment to the ADC and his support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. The controversy followed the circulation of photographs showing Dat...
Read more

Renewed Hope Project Inaugurated Plateau Coordinators, Targets 1.5 Million Votes For Tinibu/ Mutfwang in 2027

Image
By: Labaran Ahmed  The Renewed Hope Project has inaugurated its coordinators and members drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State, strengthening its grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections and setting a target of securing at least 1.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election. The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Crest Hotel, Jos, attracted participants and representatives from different parts of the state, reflecting the group’s determination to expand its political network across local government areas, wards and polling units. Addressing participants at the event, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Project, Hon. Rotshak Gobapji Gofween, popularly known as RGG, described the inauguration as a significant step towards strengthening the group’s organisational structure and taking its message to the grassroots. He said the n...
Read more