By Charles Maduka
The Borno State House of Assembly has announced plans to criminalise the diversion and resale of food items meant for malnourished children, following a warning by the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The pledge was made when UNICEF officials visited the Assembly’s Health Committee to explore partnerships under the Federal Government’s N-774 initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition across Nigeria.
Chairman of the Health Committee, Maina Mustapha, expressed concern over the ongoing diversion of nutritional products donated by partners. He said the Assembly would introduce strict laws to punish anyone found guilty of stealing or reselling such items.
Mustapha criticised those who profit from food meant for vulnerable children, saying that it reflects poorly on a society that claims to be in need of help but misuses the aid it receives.
He affirmed that the Assembly is ready to collaborate fully with UNICEF in planning and implementing the N-774 project across Borno’s 27 local government areas.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Maiduguri, Joseph Senesie, commended the partnership, stating that the initiative, launched by the Nigerian government, aims to bring quality nutrition to children at the grassroots.
He explained that the N-774 project targets all local government areas in the country, with Borno’s version tagged “End N-27” to reflect its 27 LGAs. Committees will be set up in each LGA to ensure proper implementation.
Senesie praised the lawmakers’ decision to criminalise the diversion of food meant for malnourished children, describing it as a vital step toward improving child health.
UNICEF had earlier raised alarm over the diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a product meant for over 500,000 malnourished children in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
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