The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that the south-west has the second highest number of stunted children in Nigeria.
UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor, speaking at a meeting on child nutrition in Ogun state attributed the high number of stunted children in the region to acute malnutrition.
She revealed that 19.4% of children in South West are stunted, which is only second to what is obtained in the North.
She said; “However, 19.4 per cent of children in South-West Nigeria are stunted. This figure is worse than the figure for the South-East and the south-south but better than the North as we would see during the presentations. This calls for more work by everyone – government and all of us.
“As agenda setters, we must do more to keep child nutrition conversations on the priority list of those that can act to reverse this ugly trend.
“UNICEF believes that journalists can help set the agenda for action against all forms of child malnutrition, be it severe acute malnutrition or stunting. This, the media can do by creating heightened awareness among leaders and citizens. The media remains UNICEF’s major ally as we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.