From:Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
On the opening day of the 2025 National Nutrition Week, officials and nutrition experts gathered across Kaduna State today to emphasize the vital connection between proper nutrition, public health, and economic development.
The week-long program, running from November 24 to November 30, features activities such as community walks, food demonstrations, and outreach initiatives aimed at reducing malnutrition and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Maimuna Aliyu, Vice President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) for the Northern Region, set the tone for the week by underscoring the importance of nutrition for national progress.
“Nutrition is the foundation for healthier living,” she stated, referring to this year’s theme: “Sustainable Nutrition Leading to a Healthier and More Productive Nation.”
Dr. Aliyu cautioned that a sick nation cannot prosper economically, noting that Nigeria ranks second globally and first in Africa for the number of stunted children, based on recent data from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
She called for a collaborative effort among the government, partners, and citizens to address this crisis, stressing that “nutrition is everybody’s business.”
Similarly, Blessing Maikano, representing the State Nutrition Officer of Kaduna State, Mrs. Ramatu Haruna, highlighted the state’s inaugural celebration of National Nutrition Week. “We are working to improve the image of nutritionists in the state,” she said, encouraging citizens to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, consume fruits, and engage in regular exercise.
Maikano outlined the week’s schedule, which includes a walk on Monday, a food demonstration at PSC, U/Sanusi on Tuesday, and another demonstration at PSC Sabo on Thursday.
“We urge everyone in Kaduna State to prioritize their health by eating nutritious food, hydrating adequately, and taking care of their children to reduce the incidence of malnutrition,” she added.
Comfort Ojo, Public Relations Officer of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria in Kaduna State, described the week as an “amazing initiative.”
The festivities began with a march from the Government House to the 44 Army Reference Hospital and then to Kaduna Polytechnic.
“Tomorrow, we will have a community engagement at the PHC in A/Sanusi to showcase food demonstrations for the communities,” Ojo announced, urging all stakeholders, partners, and community leaders to join the effort to achieve “a well-nourished child and a healthy home.”
Mrs. Anne Olumide, a lecturer in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Kaduna Polytechnic and an active member of both the Nutrition Society and the Dietetics Society, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. “Nutrition is key.
We aim to help people understand that we are what we eat,” she remarked, emphasizing that healthy eating doesn’t require wealth. Olumide encouraged citizens to view food as medicine, adding, “Let our food be our medicine, not medicine our food.” She expressed confidence that the awareness generated during this week will continue to reach market vendors and smaller communities in the future.
The week’s activities are being coordinated by the NSN in partnership with state ministries, reflecting a whole-of-society approach to combating malnutrition.
As the celebrations continue, organizers hope that the message of sustainable nutrition will lead to significant improvements in the health of Kaduna’s children and the productivity of its workforce, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.
