The Bayelsa State Government, in partnership with UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has launched a ₦280 million nutrition project aimed at reducing malnutrition among pregnant women and children under the age of two.
The one-year programme, unveiled in Yenagoa on Tuesday, will focus on improving nutrition during the first 1,000 days of a child's life—from pregnancy until the child's second birthday—a period considered crucial for healthy physical and brain development.
Speaking at the inauguration, UNICEF's Chief of Field Office in Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, said the initiative seeks to identify and prevent malnutrition early, giving children a better chance to survive, grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
She noted that findings from the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey revealed that more than one in four Nigerian children are stunted, while nearly half of pregnant women suffer from anaemia, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
According to Lafoucriere, the project is jointly funded by the Bayelsa State Government and UNICEF, with each contributing ₦140 million, while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is supporting the programme's implementation.
She described the partnership as a strong commitment to improving maternal and child health, adding that healthcare workers will provide nutrition education, monitor children's growth, and ensure vulnerable families receive the support they need.
Representing the Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Williams Appah, said the programme will be implemented in four local government areas and urged stakeholders to ensure the intervention reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Golden Jeremiah, also praised UNICEF and its partners for supporting efforts to tackle child malnutrition and improve the health of children across the state.
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