Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, has launched a large-scale initiative to address acute malnutrition by training 10,000 health workers across the state. This effort aims to improve the health of children and vulnerable groups through comprehensive nutritional interventions.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the Training of Trainers on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), the governor—represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ali Bello—reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to enhancing maternal and child health through sustainable strategies.

Governor Ododo highlighted that the training targets frontline health workers, community volunteers, storekeepers, and other stakeholders, equipping them with the skills needed to detect, manage, and prevent malnutrition across all localities in the state.

He emphasized the critical importance of the "first 1,000 days"—from conception to age two—in shaping a child’s lifelong health and development, noting that proper nutritional support during this window can be life-saving.

“To fulfil our commitment to child health, we have invested significantly in nutrition and healthcare. This includes procuring therapeutic foods worth hundreds of millions of naira, which will be distributed to all referral centres in the state,” he said.

The governor also revealed plans for the establishment of three IMAM Stabilisation Centres to treat severe cases and the implementation of community-level outreach programmes to identify and care for malnourished children in every local government area.

Additionally, he directed the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency to cover treatment costs for children with co-existing health conditions at referral centres.

Governor Ododo urged collaboration from local authorities, traditional leaders, faith-based groups, and community organisations in mobilising families—particularly those with children aged six to 59 months—to access the free nutrition and health services provided by the state.

He further announced the creation of nutrition departments across key ministries, dedicated budget allocations for nutrition programmes, and the training of over 10,000 women in homestead gardening, supported by the distribution of improved seedlings and tools to enhance food security.

Earlier, Dr. Ayo Olayemi, Chief Medical Director of the Kogi State Hospital Management Board, described the six-day IMAM training as a vital intervention to combat worsening malnutrition rates. He stressed that despite earlier efforts, malnutrition remains a serious concern in the state and welcomed the new approach led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, to transform child nutrition outcomes.