By Kemi Olatunde

The Ondo State chapter of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) has been inaugurated alongside the oath-taking of new executives.

The executives are: Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Omoniyi; Vice Chairman, Adedayo Elizabeth; General Secretary, Bukola Olaitan; Treasurer, Akinwemoye Bose; Financial Secretary, Adeyemi Adejisola; and Publicity Secretary, Faborode Michael.

Speaking at the event, President of NSN, Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, noted that the state chapter is set to join others in uplifting the nutritional status of Nigerians and advancing the country’s development through nutrition.

He urged members to uphold the values and mission of the profession, emphasizing the priority should be given to the well-being and health of the state residents.

Represented by the National Vice President of the society, Prof. Folake Samuel, he charged the executives to make a meaningful impact on the community.

In her inaugural speech, Prof. Samuel stated that nutrition provides essential nutrients for growth, development, and longevity, preventing premature death.

She highlighted several challenges in Nigeria’s nutrition landscape, including food insecurity, child malnutrition, low dietary diversity, adult overweight, and low birth weight.

She lamented the lack of food availability for the majority of Nigerians, noting that 33.8 percent of children under five are stunted and 25.5 percent are underweight.

She called on the executives to work as a team to achieve their goals, stating that the chapter plays a crucial role in advancing nutrition in the state and the country.

In his goodwill message, Administrative Secretary of the Economic Planning and Coordinating Office of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, and Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, Mr. Bamidele Daisi, commended government efforts in combating malnutrition, poverty, and other nutrition-related challenges in the state.

He emphasized that poor nutrition results in underweight and stunting in children, causing illnesses in adults.

Representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency and Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Victor Adefesoye, stated that only 18 percent of children between 6 and 23 months are well-fed in Nigeria.

He stressed that nutrition involves eating good food to perform expected functions in the body and urged people to ensure good nutrition and adequate immunization for healthy living.

Nutrition Specialist from FGN/IFAD/LIFE-ND project, Adetola Adekayode, assured collaboration in addressing nutrition challenges at the grassroots level.

Executive Director of Transcend Advocacy Institute, Oyenigba Sam, stressed the importance of proper practices for the body’s well-being.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman in the state promised to hold the position in trust, pledging not to betray the trust reposed in them by members.

He assured of involvement in direct nutrition promotion to address nutrition challenges from the root and expressed readiness for collaboration, maintaining cordial relationships with civil organizations, and soliciting support from members across the board.

Also, there was recognition and presentation of awards to distinguished personalities, including the Director of Nutrition at the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs. Jumoke Akinkuotu; Matron of MSN, Ondo State; Permanent Secretary of OSPHCDA, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu; and Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Bamidele Daisi.