…Deputy Governor Flags Off Local Supplement Distribution to Tackle Hunger
Hussaini Kafi in Kano
In a determined move to combat the high rate of child malnutrition in Gombe State, the government on Friday, May 31, officially launched Garin Inuwa, a locally produced food formula targeted at children suffering from severe undernutrition.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Dr. Barnabas Malle praised the leadership behind the project, calling it “a community-driven solution that gives hope.”
The launch event, held at the Centre for Educational Resource Centre (CERC), Tashan Dukku, was presided over by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who described the initiative as a turning point in the state’s public health and nutrition response.
“This product is a game-changer. It shows that we can find sustainable solutions within our communities to fight malnutrition,” Dr. Jatau said while addressing attendees. “Garin Inuwa is made from locally sourced ingredients, certified by NAFDAC, and designed specifically to rebuild our children’s health.”
Gombe State faces alarming nutrition statistics: 50.6% of children are stunted, 8.8% are wasted, and over 94,000 are severely malnourished. According to the Deputy Governor, the initiative supports Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s broader Human Capital Development agenda.
The program is a joint effort between the Ministries of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project. Over 1,000 students were trained in preparing nutritious meals, while local women were empowered to produce and distribute the formula.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Aishatu Maigari, called it a “first-of-its-kind, people-focused innovation.”
“This is not just about feeding children; it’s about building futures,” she stated.
Dignitaries present at the event include Alhaji Salisu Baba Alkali, Prof. Abdullahi Bappa Ahmad Garkuwa, and Hon. Shuaibu Adamu, who pledged continued support for nutrition programs.
