Bauchi Govt Releases N300 Million to save lives of Children in the state – UNICEF
By Abbas Usman, Bauchi
At a press conference held at the UNICEF Conference hall Bauchi on Wednesday, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique who is the Chief Field office Bauchi, commended the Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed for fulfilling its promise through the release of N300 million into the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to deal with malnutrition among under 5 children.
The Chief of Field office, Bauchi Dr. Nuzhat Rafique who made this known while briefing journalists in her office on Wednesday, explained that UNICEF on its part, will add N300 million to make a matching grant of N600 million to provide nutrition supplies for malnourished children.
While further appreciating Bauchi State Government for timely release of the fund to UNICEF, the Bauchi Chief Field office, said the timely response had saved children in Bauchi who would have been perishing due to malnutrition.
Dr. Rafique explained that the timely release of the fund was a response to the courtesy call paid to Governor Bala Mohammed at the government house recently by the new UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, where the governor pledged to increase the support to N1 billion in 2026.
Saying, “even after increasing the threshold, he pledged raising to one billion. if he gives the money, it will be matched by UNICEF to fight malnutrition in Bauchi”. Dr. Rafique.
While acknowledging the contributions of the 20 local government councils under ALGON of the sum of N100 Million to the fund making the total amount contributed by Bauchi government to N300 million, she said prevention of malnutrition is better than treatment and that UNICEF is working round the clock with traditional leaders, religious leaders, local government officials and communities to end the menace.
The Chief of Field office stated that the intervention would support the procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to save malnourished children in Bauchi.
Also emphasizing need for long term strategies, including behavior change and local solutions to prevent malnutrition.
She explained that UNICEF’s focus was not only on treatment but also on promoting proper child feeding practices and maternal care from conception to initial days of a child’s life.
The Chief Field office Bauchi, informed that Malnutrition affects physical growth, Cognitive development and overall well-being of the Victims.
“No child should suffer or die of malnutrition”. She said.
