UNICEF worried over 336,743 stunted Benue children

The United Nations Children’s Fund on Thursday called on the Benue State Government to increase budgetary allocations for nutrition and strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration to tackle the challenges relating to children’s nutrition in the state.

Officer in Charge of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Dr Shamina Sharmin, made the call quoting the  Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2023/24, that “In Benue state, 336,743 (26 per cent) of children under five years are stunted.”

He attributed this to poor maternal, infant and young children feeding practices during the first 1,000 days (from pregnancy to two years of age).

“Only 17 per cent receive the minimum acceptable diet; 43 per cent of children 0-5 months are denied the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding,” Sharmin said.

Speaking during a policy dialogue with Benue State executive and legislative councils, he stressed the need for the strengthening of multi-sectoral collaboration and extension of six months of paid maternity leave.

This, Sharmin noted, will accelerate progress and ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to thrive.

While commending the state government for the approval and public launch of the Benue State Policy on Food and Nutrition, and the State multi-sectoral Strategic Plan for nutrition, Sharmin promised continued partnership with the state and other relevant partners, and stakeholders to tackle under-five children-related issues.

In his address, the Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode stated that investing in the nutrition of children, from the very beginning of life, is one of the most powerful ways to break the cycle of poverty and set the stage for a prosperous future.

“Good nutrition is foundational to every aspect of human development: physical, cognitive, and social,” the governor said.