UNICEF, Gombe Launch Initiative to Combat Child Malnutrition, Call for Greater Investment in First 1,000 Days

UNICEF, Gombe Launch Initiative to Combat Child Malnutrition, Call for Greater Investment in First 1,000 Days

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Gombe State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and the Latter-day Saints Charities (LDSC), has launched a new nutrition project aimed at preventing malnutrition among mothers and children during the first 1,000 days of life, describing the period as the foundation for a child’s lifelong health, learning and productivity.

The project, unveiled during a stakeholders’ meeting at Travel View Hotel in Gombe, seeks to strengthen maternal and child nutrition services, improve infant and young child feeding practices, and reduce child malnutrition across the state.

Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office praised the Gombe State Government for its sustained commitment to improving the welfare of women and children through strategic investments and collaboration with development partners.

> **”Today represents another important milestone in our collective commitment to ensuring that every mother and every child in Gombe State have the opportunity not only to survive but to thrive,”** the UNICEF official said.

The official noted that the first 1,000 days—from conception until a child’s second birthday—are the most critical period for brain development, physical growth, immunity and lifelong health, stressing that investments made during this period produce some of the highest returns in human capital development.

> **”The first 1,000 days happen only once. If we get it right, children will survive, learn better, grow stronger and become healthier, more productive citizens who contribute to the development of Gombe State,”** the official added.

UNICEF expressed concern over the persistent burden of malnutrition in Nigeria, citing findings from the **2023–2024 National Demographic and Health Survey**, which show that malnutrition remains a significant threat to children’s wellbeing in Gombe State.

The organisation explained that the new initiative is aligned with the Federal Government’s **Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative**, the Health Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and the National Food and Nutrition Policy. It is expected to strengthen nutrition planning, accountability, financing and service delivery at both state and local government levels.

According to UNICEF, the project will focus on strengthening evidence-based planning and coordination, improving maternal and child nutrition services, reinforcing health, food and social protection systems, and promoting social and behaviour change interventions to encourage healthy nutrition practices among families.

> **”These investments will help improve maternal nutrition, increase exclusive breastfeeding, promote appropriate complementary feeding, prevent micronutrient deficiencies, strengthen community-based nutrition services and ultimately reduce child malnutrition and mortality,”** the UNICEF representative said.

The organisation emphasised that no single institution can solve the challenge of malnutrition alone, calling for stronger collaboration among government ministries, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and communities.

> **”The success of this initiative will require strong political commitment, sustained domestic investment and effective collaboration across sectors including health, agriculture, education, water, sanitation, social protection, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society and development partners,”** the official said.

UNICEF also urged stakeholders to prioritise nutrition as a key development investment by increasing domestic funding, strengthening coordination across sectors, using reliable data for planning and accountability, and mobilising communities to adopt optimal maternal, infant and young child feeding practices.

Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the launch, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, **Dr Abdulrahman Shuaibu**, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition through sustained investments in primary healthcare and strategic partnerships with development organisations.

**”The administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya recognises that good nutrition is fundamental to the survival, growth and development of every child. That is why we have continued to prioritise interventions that strengthen primary healthcare, improve nutrition services and expand access to quality healthcare for women and children across the state,”** Dr Shuaibu said.

He commended UNICEF and the Latter-day Saints Charities for supporting the initiative, describing the partnership as timely and critical to the state’s efforts to reduce child malnutrition. He assured stakeholders that the government would provide the necessary leadership, coordination and resources required for the successful implementation of the project.

Dr Shuaibu further called on traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners and community members to support the campaign by promoting exclusive breastfeeding, proper complementary feeding and other healthy nutrition practices. According to him, collective action remains essential to ensuring that every child in Gombe has the opportunity to survive, grow and realise his or her full potential.

The launch marks another step in Gombe State’s efforts to tackle malnutrition and improve child survival, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the initiative will contribute to healthier families and better development outcomes across the state.