Kaduna State Governor Receives Over 8,000 Cartons of Lifesaving Nutrition Supplies from UNICEF

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday handed over more than 8,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to the Kaduna State Government to support the treatment of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) across the state.

The handover ceremony, held in Government House Kaduna, underscored UNICEF’s continued partnership with the Kaduna State Government in tackling malnutrition and improving child survival and well-being.

Speaking at the event, Governor Uba Sani described the gesture as a clear demonstration of what partnership and shared commitment can achieve, commending UNICEF for its unwavering support to the state in health, nutrition, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.

He said the intervention aligns with his administration’s focus on rural transformation and human capital development, emphasizing that healthcare and good nutrition remain essential pillars of Kaduna’s development agenda.

“Our development agenda is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about ensuring our investments translate into real improvements in the lives of women, children, and families across our communities,” the Governor stated.

“Healthcare is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right. No child, no woman, and no individual should be left behind because of their condition or circumstance,” he added.

Governor Sani also announced that the State Government will release funds within 48 hours to support ongoing nutrition projects, following a passionate appeal made earlier by the State’s Chief Nutritionist, Ms. Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF Nigeria.

He said the prompt response demonstrates his government’s commitment to working with partners like UNICEF to ensure that every initiative designed to improve people’s lives is implemented effectively.

In her remarks, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, commended Kaduna State for demonstrating strong political will and consistent investment in child nutrition.

She noted that Kaduna had earlier released ₦400 million for child nutrition in 2024, which enabled UNICEF to procure the 8,000 cartons of RUTF now being handed over, alongside 800 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) for preventive nutrition.

Saeed praised the Kaduna State Government for its leadership and accountability in delivering results that directly improve children’s lives.

“When a state shows such strong leadership, it sets an example for others to follow. Kaduna’s actions give us confidence to go to other states and say: ‘Look at Kaduna this is what commitment looks like,’” she said.

The UNICEF Representative noted that malnutrition remains a major challenge, especially within the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, and called for an expansion of Severe Acute Malnutrition treatment sites across all 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State.

She also commended the state government for releasing ₦5.8 billion as counterpart funding for the Acceleration to Sanitation and Water for All Project, describing it as a major milestone in improving public health outcomes.

“Water and sanitation are not just about infrastructure they are directly linked to health, nutrition, and human dignity,” she said.

“Your Excellency, your leadership is making a tangible difference in the lives of children and families. UNICEF remains proud to walk this journey with you,” she added.

The partnership between Kaduna State and UNICEF continues to yield remarkable outcomes, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a front-runner in human development initiatives.

With the formal handover of the 8,000 cartons of RUTF, the State Government is now better equipped to scale up the treatment of severe acute malnutrition and safeguard the health and future of thousands of children across Kaduna.

Governor Sani reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to keep investing in life-saving interventions, stressing that governance, for him, is about the people — and the people remain at the heart of everything his government does.