The Team Lead of Africa Youth Growth Foundation, John Tsebam has attributed Ignorance, inadequate food supply due to poverty and improper feeding practices as major causes of malnutrition in Kogi Communities.
Mr. Tsebam made the disclosure at the end of a three day capacity building on MIYCN, said the workshop is aimed at equipping Participants with best practices.
He disclosed that the workshop after a central valuation arrived at four different products that would aid nutrition, pointing out that the products would be determined after NAFDAC analysis.
Participants at a group work during the training
Mr. Tsebam disclosed that one of the selected product has increased protein and vitamin content, said one of the product when selected would be recommended with communities taught for use by people between ages 5months to 5years before the introduction of complimentary foods.
Mr. Tsebam expressed satisfaction that from the enthusiasm and feedbacks from Participants, it is expected that to the prevalence of malnutrition in the State would be drastically addressed.
He mentioned that the workshop would address all types of malnutrition in the State, as mother’s he explained would be empowered with information to that will help them fight malnutrition.
The Team lead described the essence of the workshop as one geared towards the implementation of the accelerated nutrition components which seeks to be concerned about the innovative aspect of locally made food that promotes nutrition.
Mr. Tsebam disclosed that the workshop Gives room for Non State Actor to bring in innovation in the area of nutrition that can be sustained after the expiration of the program.
He said the training focuses on the preparation of therapeutic food locally sourced with wide range of nutrition.
Also speaking, Adams Itopa Shaibu, Technical Advisor, System Strengthening and Operations AYGF, said the essence of the training program was to achieve the implementation of the accelerated nutrition components, which gives room to allow and bring in innovation that can be sustained afterwards.
Adams described the training as fascinating, drew Participants from Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, PHCDA, Nutrition officers from LGA’s, expressed satisfaction that capacities have been built, called for a Step down of the training, described it as an eye opener.
In another development, Suleiman Ahmed, Mobilization/Communication Officer, AYGF described the training as an eye opener, said with the training would help reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in Kogi State.
He called for exclusive breastfeeding, timely introduction of adequate complementary food, Community involvement and Empowerment in early child care, complementary food production and the need to encourage income generating activities.