Idris: Stunting Rate in Lagos is 11%, Underweight 14.5%

..As Dano breaks Guinness records

Martins Ifijeh

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, has revealed that stunting rate among children in the state is at 11 per cent, while that of other parts of the country have an average of 10.8 per cent.
He said the underweight rate is at 14.5 per cent for the state while the statistics show an average of 31.5 per cent in other parts of Nigeria.

Stating this during the commemoration of the 2018 World Milk Day, organised by Dano Milk in Lagos recently, he said more efforts should be invested to improve the poor nutritional indicators of children in Lagos State and other parts of the country.

He said: “The theme of this year’s commemoration; ‘Raise a Glass, Nourish Naija’ couldn’t have come at a better time. Thus, the health benefits of milk and milk products cannot be over emphasised. Promotion for milk and milk products for the young and old would go a long way to improve healthy nutritional status in Nigeria. As such there would be overall improvements to our nutritional status indicators,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dano Milk at the commemoration in Lagos, broke the Guinness World Record for longest drinks pouring relay using milk, with several participants in attendance, including undergraduates of tertiary institutions across Lagos, school children, mothers, representatives and officials of the Lagos State Ministries of Health and Education.

The event showcased regular milk intake by the young and old. Conversations around the event were hinged on#RaiseAGlass and #NourishNaija.

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode described the World Milk Day as pivotal to bringing out the best in children, youths and adults.

“The Lagos State Government is passionate about giving the best in children, youths in schools and institutions across the state. Contributions by other stakeholders are equally important to building the mental capabilities of children, youths and adults and helping them to soar in their pursuits. The World Milk Day is pivotal to this drive as contributions from stakeholders will position milk as an important component of mental and physical development.”

Sharing his thoughts at the event, the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule said she was delighted by the continued advocacy of TG Arla Dairy Nigeria, celebration and successful hosting of the past two editions of the World Milk Day in Lagos.

“June 1 has become a symbolic day for many countries to celebrate and come together to focus attention on milk and celebrate the importance of the dairy sector to sustainability, economic development, livelihoods and nutrition.

“We urge Dano to sustain the advocacy drive just as she enjoined people across the country to tap into the goodness of milk. As we raise a glass to milk, we connect with others in Lagos and the country, and invite them to join in the celebration and in the goodness milk represents.”

The Managing Director, TG Arla Dairy Nigeria, Mads Burmester assured that the brand would boost its commitment to offering nutritious products to Nigerian households.

He commended stakeholders in attendance at the event whilst communicating the brand’s position to promoting healthy living and lifestyles among Nigerians.

“As a dairy advocate, we can’t afford to downplay the importance of the World Milk Day. This influenced our decision to bring stakeholders together in seeking solutions to malnutrition and upholding the importance of healthy living. We have propelled this by putting Nigeria on the global scene as a country that is passionate about health and nutrition.