Musa Na Alllah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has strengthened its commitment to tackling child malnutrition with the official handover of vital nutrition commodities procured through the Child Nutrition Fund to support the treatment of acute malnutrition across the state.
The commodities were presented to the state by the Sokoto Field Office of UNICEF in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry of Health and the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, marking a renewed partnership aimed at improving child survival and nutrition outcomes.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muhammad Bello Marnona, said the initiative represents a critical step toward addressing the growing challenge of malnutrition among children in the state.
He assured that the agency would ensure proper monitoring and accountability in the distribution and use of the commodities.
“The agency will ensure that every sachet of the nutrition commodity is judiciously utilized to save the lives of children suffering from acute malnutrition across Sokoto State,” Marnona said.
In his goodwill message, head UNICEF Sokoto field office Mr Michael Juma commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for demonstrating strong political commitment to improving child nutrition.
He particularly appreciated the governor for approving the release of N100 million as the state’s counterpart contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund initiative implemented through UNICEF.
“We sincerely thank His Excellency Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for releasing N100 million as Sokoto State’s contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund to support the procurement of these essential nutrition commodities,” Juma said.
He also praised the state government for its prudent management of resources, noting that the collaboration between the state government and UNICEF would significantly enhance the impact of the intervention.
“When the state contributes and UNICEF complements the effort, the results become enormous in improving the wellbeing of children,” he added.
In her remarks, the UNICEF Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rolak Khan, described Sokoto State as one of the few states demonstrating strong commitment to improving child nutrition and survival.
She disclosed that about 260,000 children in Sokoto State are currently suffering from acute malnutrition, stressing the urgent need for sustained intervention and partnerships.
“Not all states contribute to the survival and growth of children the way Sokoto State has done,” she said.
Khan noted that the Child Nutrition Fund was established to support governments in scaling up access to life saving nutrition treatment for vulnerable children.
“Sokoto is a state that matches commitment with action. What we are witnessing today reflects real transformation and tangible change in the health of children,” she added.
Also speaking, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Wurno, reaffirmed the state government’s determination to sustain investments aimed at improving the health and nutrition of children.
He explained that the state’s contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund reflects a broader commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive participation in healthcare delivery.
“It is no longer a one man effort. More stakeholders are now involved to ensure transparency and effective service delivery in the health sector,” Wurno said.
The commissioner further assured that the government would maintain strict monitoring and evidence based reporting on the utilization of the commodities.
“The Sokoto State Government remains fully committed to supporting the Child Nutrition Fund and ensuring that these resources translate into improved child survival across the state,” he added.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Bilyaminu Yari Sifawa, pledged the agency’s readiness to work closely with stakeholders and community structures to ensure effective distribution of the commodities.
According to him, local committees and grassroots health workers would play key roles in ensuring that the nutrition supplies reach children who need them most.
“We will work together with all stakeholders and grassroots structures to ensure equitable and judicious distribution of the commodities across the state,” Sifawa said.
The intervention is expected to significantly strengthen the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in Sokoto State and reinforce broader national efforts aimed at reducing child mortality and improving child nutrition in Nigeria.
