The Kogi State Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources, has launched a multisectoral initiative aimed at addressing malnutrition by implementing cascaded training on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM).The programme underscores the state’s renewed commitment to improving nutrition outcomes and strengthening health systems in line with global best practices.
The initiative reflects the vision of the current administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, whose policies continue to emphasise inter-agency collaboration and community-centred governance. Speaking at the training, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, highlighted that addressing malnutrition is not solely the responsibility of health ministries.
“Access to clean water is a foundational determinant of health,” he said. “As a ministry, we are duty-bound to strengthen our contribution to the fight against malnutrition. This training is not only timely but essential.” He commended Governor Ododo, whom he described as the “Chief Servant”, for fostering an enabling environment where cross-cutting initiatives can thrive. Engr. Farouk also praised ministry staff for their dedication, urging continuous professional development across all departments to sustain momentum.
The training focused on the IMAM approach, a globally recognised framework for identifying, treating, and managing acute malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five and pregnant or lactating women. Delivering the technical session, Mrs Funmilayo Alapo, a nutrition specialist from the Ministry of Health, guided participants through both practical and theoretical modules, including the use of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tools for community-level malnutrition screening.
The Director of Nutrition at the Ministry, Engr. Peter Arome, provided an overview of the workshop, stressing the need to integrate nutritional knowledge across all areas of development planning. “You cannot solve malnutrition by health intervention alone,” he said. “Water, sanitation, agriculture, education – every sector must play a role.”
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In his goodwill message, Abubakar Musa, State Coordinator of the Food Security and Transformation Project (FSTP) and Director of Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Budget, commended the Ministry for organising the training, describing it as “a timely, purposeful, and collaborative move that reflects the depth of commitment needed to address one of the state’s most pressing public health challenges.”
The training concluded with a participatory session where attendees engaged with facilitators, shared field experiences, and discussed scalable intervention strategies for their respective departments. Participants expressed appreciation for the clarity, relevance, and practical applicability of the sessions.
“This is not just capacity building; this is life-saving knowledge,” remarked one attendee. “It’s a powerful reminder that even as a water resource officer, I have a role to play in saving lives.”
By taking the lead on a traditionally health-focused issue, the Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources is redefining what it means to be a stakeholder in human development. The training has equipped staff with new competencies and laid the groundwork for more integrated programming in the future.
