Borno malnutrition crisis, a national problem, says Saraki

Condolence Visit of the Senate Delegation to Commiserate with the Government and People of Borno Over the death of the late Alhaji Ali Shettima.

The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said the malnutrition crisis presently encountered in Borno State should be seen as a Nigerian problem which deserves the attention of everyone.

He promised that the issue would be addressed on the floor of the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly soonest.

Saraki made this declaration on Monday, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, while on a condolence visit to the people of the state over the death of Alhaji Shettima Monguno.

Monguno was the first republic minister and first African head of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

He also took time out to visit the centre for the treatment of people suffering from severe malnutrition.

The Senate President said Borno State had been left to carry too much of the burden of the Boko Haram insurgency and it had become pertinent for others to help.

He said, “I am happy I am here with the leader of the Senate, before we proceed on break, we will definitely discuss it (the Borno malnutrition crisis) on the floor of the house and see what we can do.”

“The federal government and all agencies need to step up to the game.

“I think it is not good for a country like ours, we are rich. It is just an issue of organizing ourselves and getting the fund to support the state government. The state has been carrying too much of the load on their own.”

The Senate President who was accompanied on the visit by the Majority Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), said the visit to Borno was very important as it offered them the opportunity to see first-hand the extent of the malnutrition crisis.

He said, “It is clear that the state government has done very well. The report we heard about some of the children not being able to walk because of malnutrition but we can see all of them now well nourished, I must commend the effort of the state government in doing that.”

He however said the visit “has just confirmed that we still have a lot of work ahead.”