Radda Orders Release of 90,000 Bags of Grains for Malnourished Families
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has approved the release of 90,000 bags of grains as part of measures to tackle malnutrition in the state.
The governor gave the directive after receiving the report of the the Special Committee on Malnutrition, chaired by Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi Filin-Samji, Chairman of the state Zakkat and Waqaf Commission.
The special committee was inaugurated in August to investigate the prevalence and causes of malnutrition in the state.
Radda said the committee would handle the distribution and deliver it directly to the most vulnerable households identified in its report.
He also ordered the opening of Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) centres for malnourished children in all the 34 Local Government Areas of the state.
The centres will provide timely and specialised care for children suffering from malnutrition, providing lifesaving support to families and communities.
He directed the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, to immediately engage stakeholders and prepare the cost implications for the establishment of the OTP Centres.
Radda commended the committee for the seriousness with which they carried out their assignment and producing a report that not only revealed the scale of the challenge but also offered practical recommendations to guide government action.
“I sincerely thank the committee for the hard work and sacrifices made in this task. Your findings have given us both a clear picture and a clear direction,” he said.
He further directed the ES to liaise with Drugs and Medical Supplies Agency as well as the Katsina State Development Management Board to come up with a proposal for the establishment of Turn Brown and RUTF production factory.
The governor issued a stern warning against the diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food meant for children with malnutrition.
“We cannot afford to compromise when saving the lives of our children. Anyone caught diverting or tampering with these life-saving supplies will be dealt with decisively,” he added.
“Tackling malnutrition is not just about saving lives today—it is about safeguarding the future of Katsina’s children. By the grace of Allah, this government will continue to invest in solutions that guarantee health, education, and opportunities for our people.”
Earlier, while presenting the report, Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi Filin-Samji revealed alarming findings on the high rate of stunting, wasting, and underweight children due to acute and severe malnutrition across the state.
He further explained that the committee discovered cases of RUTF supply diversion, weakness in supply chain management, and widespread social vulnerabilities.
The Chairman said nearly half of the households surveyed were found to be living below the minimum expenditure basket, leaving them highly prone to hunger and malnutrition.
Dr. Filin-Samji recommended that the state strengthen its food supply chain, sanction those guilty of diverting food meant for malnourished children, and prioritise grain distribution to households suffering the most.
He also called for intensified advocacy on exclusive breastfeeding as one of the fastest ways to reduce child malnutrition.
