Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has launched a statewide nutrition campaign, codenamed ‘Eat A Rainbow’, as part of his activities marking the 2025 World Nutrition Day.
Designed by the Kwara State Ministry of Health, led by the Commissioner, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, the ‘Eat A Rainbow’ campaign is an innovative crusade of the administration to improve intakes of balanced diets across families.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nu, referred to it as a people-centred effort that reflects his administration’s commitment to improve the well-being of the people and build on its successes in the subsector.
“This campaign is more than just about fruits and vegetables. It is a call to action — a reminder that the choices we make today directly shape the future of our children, families, and communities,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
“Daily consumption of diverse, colourful fruits and vegetables amounts to taking a strong stand against malnutrition, chronic diseases and preventable illnesses,” he added.
AbdulRazaq said the ‘Eat a Rainbow’ campaign is rooted in science and compassion that recognises that sustainable health lies in prevention, education, and empowerment.
Kwara First Lady, Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. John Bello, commended the government for promoting healthy citizenry through various initiatives and right investments in the UNICEF Child Malnutrition Fund, among other nutrition supporting platforms.
She encouraged Kwarans to cultivate a habit of eating a balanced diet to live a healthy life.
Earlier in an address to unveil the campaign, the Commissioner for Health, El-Imam, said the ‘Eat a Rainbow’ campaign would reposition the nutrition of the people for good.
She said the state is committed to further reducing the percentage of children mapped for malnutrition, adding, however, that the efforts of the administration explain the downward slope of the malnutrition curve in Kwara State.
Prof. Kolawole said malnutrition remains a profound public health challenge in Nigeria, which she noted can manifest as undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and increasingly overnutrition.
She listed the shift from traditional foods to western-style fast foods, urbanization, food advertising, ignorance, and poverty as some of the causes of malnutrition in Nigeria, urging parents and other stakeholders to consume food with balanced diets.
In attendance were cabinet members, local government chairmen, heads of agencies such as the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, and the Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Abdulraheem Malik; the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Abubakar Usman Jos; Balogun Fulani, Alhaji Atiku Sidiq; and university lecturer and guest speaker of the day, Prof Fausat Kolawole; among others. (radiokwara.com).
