UNICEF Decries Alleged Diversion Of Children’s Nutrition Supplements In Sokoto

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Micheal Juma, has frowned at the alleged diversion of nutrition supplements in some communities in Sokoto State.

Juma, who expressed this concern at the quarterly policymakers’ meeting urged community members and stakeholders in the healthcare sector to intensify vigilance against the diversion of prepared nutrition supplements in the state.

Represented by Abraham Mahama, the Chief of Field Office, noted that the nutrition supplements were provided by donors and distributed to healthcare centres in different communities towards enhancing the lives of malnourished children.

He lamented that, “some bad elements in the system connived with traders and engaged in selling the supplements to unintended persons.

“The supplements were openly sold in markets while on investigation at the designated stores, UNICEF discovered that personnel stocked cartons of supplements with stones and other objects to cover their nefarious acts.

“Indices on healthcare infrastructures, power and water supply, competent healthcare workers, and clients not trusting service providers along with others were not encouraging in the state.”

In his presentation, the UNICEF Social Protection Specialist, Mr Isa Ibrahim, dwelled on the state’s 2024 budget performances in areas that need alignment such as the nutrition sector which recorded zero allocation along with some areas recording high concentration of capital expenditure which has less impact on the citizens.

Ibrahim also anchored Juma’s call for the appointment of a substantive Statistician General in the state to harness data prudence and accessibility, using standard systems.

He explained that the objectives of the quarterly meeting comprised sensitising stakeholders on activities, advocating increased inclusion of children on policies, prioritising joint partnerships, advocating optimum data usage and budget performance.

Earlier, the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, assured of government maximum support to all donor agencies’ activities, describing the presentations as an awakening call to government officials to amend anomalies.