CAN blames child malnutrition on parents

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Nigeria, Reverend Yakubu Pam, has blamed the stingy attitude of parents and poor eating habit as one of the major causes of child malnutrition in Nigeria.

Pam made the revelation at an event organised by Ministry of Budget and National Planning in Kaduna, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), Jamaatul Nasir Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders.

The stakeholders agreed that despite the capacity of northern Nigeria to produce rich food crops in abundance, the region remained worst hit by malnutrition.

Speaking at the meeting organised for traditional and religious leaders to scale-up nutrition, Pam cautioned against selfish attitude by some parents and urged the need to create awareness on eating of good food and spending positively on children.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the event, the Minister of State, Budget and Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government had earlier declared a state of emergency on child malnutrition; hence the need to compel state governments across the country to ensure the aims and objectives of reducing self-inflicted diseases became achievable.