UNICEF Stresses Importance Of Local Food
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stressed the need for people to consume local foods.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, who gave the advice during the Flag- off of the First Round Optimized Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week held on Tuesday at the Umueri Civic Centre, Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.
The program was organized by the Anambra Primary Health Care Development Agency and the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF.
She advised Anambra Indigenes, especially nursing mothers and children to consume local foods, noting that local foods found in rural communities were far more nutritious than fast foods and other inorganic foods which many would prefer.
The Enugu Chief of UNICEF Field Office, hinted that women had distinct nutritional requirements throughout their life, especially before and during pregnancy, as well as while breastfeeding, when nutritional vulnerability would be greatest.
She counselled the women to ensure nutritious diets, sourced locally for their survival and well-being, as well as that of their children.
She said, ”Local food is good, and our call is for people to ensure dietical requirements for pregnant mothers and children. Most local meals are nutritious.”
Also speaking, the Director of Programme Operations – Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, pointed out that the programme was to ensure that UNICEF support mothers in their role as mothers, and as parents, and also recognize the importance of children and their health.
According to her, “We remain committed to supporting government and delivering solutions, especially in the area of nutrition. Your governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has a mantra which says ‘Solution is here’, but we hope that the next word the governor will adopt is ‘solution is nutrition’.”
The Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who represented Governor Soludo on the occasion, thanked UNICEF for its various interventions in the state in many areas.
He promised a robust relationship with UNICEF to achieve desired goals
The event featured health talks, provision of Vitamin A supplementation, deworming, routine immunization and birth registration for children of various ages.
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