Victoria Mbangwa
In a bold move to combat the silent crisis of child malnutrition, the Borno State Government has launched a grassroots-led committee on food and nutrition an initiative hailed by UNICEF as a game-changer in saving young lives across the state.
Unveiled in Maiduguri on Thursday, the committee brings together representatives from all 27 local government areas under the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N774) initiative. The goal: to tackle malnutrition at the community level with renewed energy, collaboration, and accountability.
Joseph Senesie, Chief of the UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, lauded the state’s leadership during the inauguration ceremony, calling the committee “a frontline defense” in the fight against stunting, wasting, and nutrient deficiencies plaguing thousands of children in the region.
“What we are launching is more than a structure it is a frontline defense against malnutrition,” Senesie declared, “In a state where too many children suffer from stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, this action is both timely and bold.”
The N774 initiative, championed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is designed to decentralize nutrition efforts and empower local leaders to deliver real, measurable results. The newly formed committee is expected to act as a catalyst for change, breaking silos and driving collaboration across critical sectors such as health, agriculture, education, social protection, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).
The move comes on the heels of troubling reports about the illegal diversion and sale of therapeutic food meant for severely malnourished children in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe on issue that had sparked national concern and international criticism.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Borno State through technical assistance, supplies, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that every child not just those in urban centershas access to life-saving nutrition.
With local hands on deck and eyes on impact, Borno’s grassroots revolution against malnutrition may well become a model for the nation.
