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The Kwara State Government has urged residents of the State to engage in home gardening and increase consumption of locally made foods because of their rich nutritional value.
The Commissioner for Communications, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju stated this at an event on Malnutrition, Dietary Habits and Locally Available Recipes, organised by Ministry under its Food and Nutrition Programme, in Ilorin.
With reference to global data, Mrs Olukoju stated that Nigeria has high cases of children with stunted growth, hence efforts by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to curb incidences of malnutrition in the State through comprehensive and sustainable interventions.
The Commissioner, represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammed, explained that the Food and Nutrition Programme of the Ministry, is part of the State Government’s effort to inform and engage the public about the hazards of malnutrition.
“Malnutrition remains a significant challenge battling the health and development of many in our society. It is not just a threat but a barrier to the socio-economic growth of Kwara State.”
Another facilitator, a Principal Agriculture Officer, Home Economics Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hajia Jemila Adamu Gene who spoke on “Dietary Habits and Locally Available Recipe,” urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of eating locally made foods as against packaged and fast foods, which she described as dangerous to the health
Hajia Adamu Gene affirmed that the Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture is supporting farmers across the sixteen local government areas of the State, on cultivation of crops rich in essential nutrients.
In a presentation, Project Manager, Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria, ANRiN, Ministry of Health, Dr. Habeeb Lawal said foods rich in nutrients are not expensive and are readily available.
Dr Lawal who identified local foods such as Moni-moni and Olu as rich in nutrients and should be taken regularly, pointed out that poor nutrition could cause poor brain development, fetal health and intra-uterine retardation.
She added that distribution of fertilizers to farmers is ongoing in batches to boost farm produce and that plans are also underway to build capacity of farmers in increasing food production.
The event was attended by stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State and representatives of media organisations in the State.
