"Adequate nutrition during the critical stages of infancy and adulthood lays the foundation for a healthy future and economic development of a nation."

That was part of my message delivered on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the flag-off of the Training of Trainers on the Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition Course (MIYCN) in Owerri, Imo State.

Represented by the Commissioner for Women's Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu UNJP, I noted that Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) is essential for children's physical and cognitive development and has a profound impact on their long-term health, well-being, and productivity.

Malnutrition is a pressing challenge, affecting the most vulnerable members of society, particularly pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children under five, and the elderly. The Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition Course (MIYCN) offers crucial knowledge to healthcare providers in Imo State to tackle the challenges of malnutrition and other health issues. The Imo State government, led by my husband, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, is committed to providing an enabling environment for capacity building and improving nutrition outcomes. I commend the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Bank's Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) program, the State Ministry of Health, and the Imo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency-ISPHCDA for their efforts in driving the process of ensuring the health of Imo residents.

#chiomauzodimma

H.E. Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma
First Lady, Imo State and Founder, GoodHope Flourish Foundation
and Secretary of Renewed Hope Initiative.