In response to troubling reports from UNICEF, the Borno State House of Assembly has declared its intent to enact laws that would criminalise the diversion and resale of food supplies allocated for malnourished children.
The commitment was made during a session held with officials from UNICEF on Friday, where discussions focused on aligning efforts under the Federal Government’s N-774 initiative, a program aimed at combating childhood malnutrition nationwide.
Chairing the session, Health Committee leader Maina Mustapha expressed frustration over the exploitation of food donations from global partners.
He warned that those who profit from such aid are depriving children of essential nutrition and must be held accountable.
“We cannot continue to let greed override compassion,” Mustapha said. “These donations are meant to save lives, not to be sold off for individual benefit.”
He added that the Assembly is determined to collaborate with UNICEF to ensure full rollout of the N-774 program in Borno, adapting its strategy to suit local needs through improved oversight.
UNICEF’s Maiduguri Field Office Chief, Joseph Senesie, welcomed the legislature’s support, stressing the importance of government involvement in grassroots nutrition programs.
According to Senesie, the N-774 project, championed at the federal level by the Vice President, targets every local government area in Nigeria, including all 27 in Borno.
He said the initiative, locally termed “N-27,” will involve setting up community committees to monitor delivery and prevent misuse.
Senesie hailed the Assembly’s resolve to legislate against diversion of nutrition products, calling it a necessary move to ensure aid reaches intended beneficiaries.
The decision comes after a recent UNICEF report uncovered widespread diversion and black-market sales of RUTF, a therapeutic food product designated for hundreds of thousands of malnourished children in the northeastern states.