In a significant move to combat malnutrition in southeastern Nigeria, the Naija Youths for Education and Advocacy, Abakaliki Zone has launched an innovative health program called “Healthy Mama Health Pikin” in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The initiative, led by an Oyo indigene, Akinade Ogunniyi a serving Corps member in Ebonyi State.
According to Akinade while speaking with newsmen, he said the initiative aims to address the pressing issues of maternal and child nutrition in a region where 14.6% of children under 5 are wasted, 12.5% are underweight, and 19.3% are stunted.
Akinade said the program which began in December 2024, has already established partnerships with stratified selected healthcare facilities across Abakaliki, including MCH Azuiyiokwu, MCH Ekeaba, and several other primary healthcare centres.
Twenty trained volunteers are currently conducting educational sessions on nutrition and hygiene practices, reaching nursing mothers and their children under 5 years old.
“What makes this initiative unique is its comprehensive approach to community health education,” says project coordinator Akinade Ogunniyi. “We’re not just teaching mothers about nutrition; we’re establishing sustainable support systems within their communities.”
The project has ambitious plans for the coming months, including a major medical workshop in March that aims to train 100-150 mothers in hygiene practices, nutrition education, and practical food demonstration. The workshop will feature innovative concepts such as home-made supplements for children’s food and hands-on cooking demonstrations.
Looking ahead, the initiative plans to establish peer-to-peer sessions and community-led health advocacy campaigns from April through June. The program’s long-term sustainability strategy includes creating mother support groups and integrating nutrition education into local health services.
What sets this project apart is its focus on leveraging Ebonyi State’s agricultural abundance. Despite being a leading producer of rice, and yam in Nigeria, the region struggles with nutritional diversity. The program aims to bridge this gap by educating mothers about dietary diversity and optimal use of locally available nutritious foods.
The initiative represents a crucial step toward achieving global nutrition targets set by the World Health Assembly for 2030. With its comprehensive approach to maternal and child nutrition, “Healthy Mama Health Pikin” could serve as a model for similar interventions across Nigeria and beyond.
The project will conclude with a final evaluation in September 2025, measuring its impact on maternal and child health outcomes in the region. If successful, this community-driven approach to nutrition security could pave the way for broader implementation across other Nigerian states facing similar challenges.
Akinade acknowledged the support of Chinelo Oloye, Assistant Program Coordinator/Nutrition Officer for No Hunger Food Bank (NHFB), Obasi Chiedu, Assistant Program Coordinator for Slum and Rural Health Initiative, Team leads volunteers; Ojeh Blessing, Udensi Christiana, Chinasa Chukwuemeka, Favour Medford and Aramide Oluwatobi.
The project is been sponsored by Slow Food Nigeria, Slum and Rural Health Initiative SHRIN, and No Hunger Food Bank bank NHFB
