The Gombe State Government on Saturday launched a locally made complementary food supplement, Garin Inuwa, aimed at addressing child malnutrition in the state.
The launch took place at the Centre for Educational Resource Centre (CERC), Tashan Dukku, with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, performing the official unveiling on behalf of Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Jatau said the initiative was part of the state’s commitment to improve child health and human capital development, adding that the supplement was developed from locally sourced ingredients and certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“The stunting rate in Gombe is 50.6 per cent, wasting rate is 8.8 per cent, while over 94,000 children are severely malnourished,” he said.
He described Garin Inuwa as a sustainable, homegrown solution designed to reduce these figures and support the nutritional needs of children across the state.
Jatau also said the project was a product of collaboration between the Ministries of Education; Science, Technology and Innovation; and the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project.
He said over 1,000 students from selected schools had been trained to prepare nutritious meals, while women were empowered to produce and distribute the supplement, thereby promoting entrepreneurship.
“No solid building stands on a weak foundation. Good nutrition is that foundation—and today, we’ve begun to rebuild it, one child at a time,” he said.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, described the programme as the first of its kind in the state, adding that it was inclusive and multi-sectoral, involving schoolchildren, women producers, and direct beneficiaries from hospitals.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Alhaji Salisu Baba Alkali, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning; Prof. Abdullahi Bappa Ahmad Garkuwa, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation; Dr. Yakubu Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and Hon. Shuaibu Adamu, Chairman, House Committee on Education.
They commended the initiative and pledged continued support for programmes targeting child nutrition and development.
Dr. Barnabas Malle, in a vote of thanks, praised Gov. Yahaya and other stakeholders for their leadership and commitment to improving child health.
The programme is expected to significantly boost the state’s nutrition outcomes and provide economic opportunities for local communities.
