By
Aisha Mohammed
Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Kaletapwa Farauta has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition and improving maternal healthcare.
Farauta stated this at the official launch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ support, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the Adamawa State Government, for the First 1,000 Days of Life Nutrition Project, as well as the inaugural inception meeting held in Yola, Adamawa State.
The Deputy Governor, Kaletapuwa Farauta said the first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, are the most critical period for physical growth, brain development and lifelong health.
She explained that Nigeria is faced with a heavy burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition contributing to nearly half of all deaths among children under five years of age.
The Deputy Governor stressed the need to tackle the menace in order to give every child the best possible start in life.
Farauta who is also the Chairperson of the Adamawa State Task Force on Primary Health Care, insisted that investing during this period is one of the most effective ways to reduce child mortality, improve learning outcomes and build a healthier, more productive society.
The Deputy Governor noted that the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2023-2024 reports a stunting prevalence of 48.6 per cent in Adamawa State, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated and sustained action.
In a remark, the UNICEF Chief, Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every mother and child not only survives but thrives.
She emphasized that the first 1,000 days represent the most critical window for brain development, physical growth, immunity and lifelong health.
Dr. Rafique added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative, the Health Sector-Wide Approach SWAp, and the unwavering commitment of the Adamawa State Government to achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving the health of women and children across the state.
On his part, Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Sulaiman Bashir, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of children in the state.
The Agency Boss called on critical stakeholders to embrace the initiative by working collaboratively to ensure its successful implementation for the benefit of every mother and child in the state.
Present at the event were representatives of UNICEF, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Federal and Adamawa State Governments, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations, and other Development Partners.
