BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged increased funding for child nutrition initiatives in the state, marking a significant step in the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children under five.
The governor made the announcement during a high-level roundtable discussion on Wednesday in Abuja focused on scaling up production of Tom Brown, a locally-produced, nutrient-dense food supplement designed to combat malnutrition in young children and lactating mothers.
The event was organized by Borno State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Gov. Zulum revealed plans to establish a Tom Brown production facility within Borno State.
This initiative aims to enhance food and nutrition security, empower local farmers, and generate job opportunities.
'I want to assure you that Borno State will increase its funding portfolio to the child nutrition basket fund,' he stated, underscoring his administration's commitment to addressing malnutrition as a core component of building social and economic resilience.
'This initiative marks a significant milestone in our efforts to combat malnutrition, strengthen food security, and create sustainable economic opportunities for our people,' he said.
He also emphasized that Borno State has been a leader in implementing food security initiatives, including the Tom Brown program in partnership with the FAO and other development partners.
He called on the federal government and relevant agencies to support nutrition-sensitive policies and prioritize locally-produced food supplements, aligning with the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, which advocates for integrated, multi-sectoral interventions to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition in Borno State and the broader North East region.