Canada supports child nutrition in Kano with $10 million

THE Canadian government has promised a donation of $10 million on micro nutrient initiative to assist malnourished children in Kano State.

The Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Perry Calderwood, who drop the hint at a reception held after a two-day international conference on development in Africa, organised by Bayero University, revealed that the project was part of Canadian developmental support on maternal and new born child in Africa.

Calderwood said the Canadian government confirmed that statistic on low balance energy children in Nigeria remain on the increase due to lack of required nourishment, adding that the micro nutrient initiative would run for five years in Kano.

According to the envoy, the project, which is being handled by a Canadian-based international organisation would soon be extended to Bauchi, Katsina and other neighbouring states.

Besides, the high commissioner reminded that Canadian development programme in Nigeria also focuses significantly on maternal and new born child health, due to increase in cases of maternal mortality rate.

“Canadian government is channeling fund through UNICEF and other reliable international agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and check the rate of mortality. You would be aware Nigeria is one of the African countries benefiting from Canadian government development support programme particularly in polio eradication, maternal and new born child and other health care support programmes.”