Save the Children wants religious leaders preach nutrition

Save the Children wants religious leaders preach nutrition

NAN-HG-4

Malnutrition

By Zubairu Idris

Kano, April 12, 2017 (NAN) Save the Children International, an NGO, has urged religious leaders to intensify preaching on the importance of nutrition as part of efforts to check malnutrition in the country.

Mr Ifedilichukwu Innocent, a nutrition expert in the organisation, made the call at a three-day workshop organised for reporters on Wednesday in Kano.

“Religious leaders have great roles to play in influencing attitude of their followers towards feeding their families with nutritious food during their preaching.

“I believe if they include this message in their sermons we will achieve a lot because we have most of the nutritious food produced locally,’’ he said.

He stressed the need for enlightening the religious leaders on the importance of nutrition as well as dangers associated with malnutrition.

Innocent said that malnutrition affects the child’s brain development, thereby preventing him from contributing positively to nation building.

“Whenever a child is malnourished, he will have low IQ and may be stunted, which can remain in him permanently,’’ he said.

He, therefore, stressed the need for feeding pregnant mothers with the right nutrition to have nourished mothers.

He also urged pregnant women to be attending ante-natal care for their good health and safe delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NGO is promoting children’s health, education and protection of children from abuse in about 120 countries in the world. (NAN)

ZI/DS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola