INVEST IN CHILD NUTRITION TO BUILD FUTURE LEADERS WHO WILL DELIVER LASTING RETURNS IN LIFE — CS-SUNN”
According to the National program Manager mr Ridwan Awosanya says providing children with nutritious food is an investment in their health, education, leadership potential, and the future development of society.
Ridwan Awosanya state that yesterday during strategic media engagement forum on domestic finance Nutrition in kano.
He add that Promotes Healthy Growth and Development which is part of the aims and objectives of civil society scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria
Awosanya add that Nutritious food helps children grow properly, develop strong bodies, and build healthy immune systems that protect them against diseases. Improves Brain Development and Intelligence
Children who receive adequate nutrition have a better chance of developing their cognitive abilities, improving their concentration, and learning effectively in school.
According to program Manager Awosanya says today’s well-nourished children are tomorrow’s potential leaders, teachers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and public servants. Good nutrition helps them develop the physical and mental abilities needed to contribute meaningfully to society.
Improves Educational Performance
Adequate nutrition supports children’s ability to concentrate, participate in classroom activities, and achieve better educational outcomes.. Reduces Child Mortality and Malnutrition
Investing in child nutrition helps prevent malnutrition, stunting, and other nutrition-related health problems, giving children a better opportunity to survive and thrive. Strengthens the Economy
Healthy, well-educated children are more likely to become productive adults who contribute to economic growth, create employment opportunities, and support their families.
Reduces Poverty Across Generations
When children grow up healthy and receive a good education, they have better opportunities to earn a living and improve their families’ living standards.
Delivers Lasting Returns on Investment
Money invested in child nutrition today can generate long-term benefits through improved health, educational achievement, increased productivity, and economic developments
CS-SUNN emphasises that nutrition funding is an investment in Nigeria’s human capital and future
The Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) advocates for increased investment in nutrition to ensure that children and families have access to adequate nutrition services. It also encourages governments and other stakeholders to prioritise nutrition in their budgets and development policies.
Investing in child nutrition is not an expenditure; it is an investment in the future of our children and our nation. When we provide children with nutritious food today, we help build a healthier, more educated, more productive, and responsible generation of leaders who can deliver lasting benefits to society.
The message is simple: Feed children well today, empower future leaders tomorrow, and build a stronger Nigeria for generations to come.
Mr Ridwan says some challenges on that program Nigeria is Delay of releasing money from the government,and insufficient funding
The Senior Communications Officer of CS-SUNN, Madam Lilian Okafor, explained that the media parley was organised to mobilise media organisations as strategic partners in promoting transparency and accountability in the allocation and expenditure of funds for nutrition programmes.
Okafor stated that the engagement would also support the development and dissemination of strategic communication materials to sustain advocacy for increased domestic funding and greater government investment in nutrition programmes, particularly those targeting children.
Madam Lilian Okafor further explained that children’s nutritional challenges begin at the earliest stages of life, starting from pregnancy and continuing after birth as they grow. She emphasised the importance of proper nutrition, particularly breastfeeding, from the time a child is born and throughout the early stages of development.
According to Madam Lilian, the media play a crucial role in communicating important messages to leaders and members of the public, making them key partners in promoting awareness and encouraging greater commitment to improving child nutrition.
“Journalists Are the Backbone of Public Awareness on Malnutrition — Lilian Okafor.”
On his part Kano State Coordinator of CS-SUNN
Salmanu Muhammad, said the organisation would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure the timely release and proper utilisation of funds judiciously