Calabar – A child nutrition campaign is set to kick off in Calabar South as the Yolk of Hope Initiative and the Ememobong Humanitarian Foundation move to address malnutrition among pupils in public schools NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
The initiative, tagged “One Egg, One Child, Per Day,” will begin on September 22 at Apostolic Primary School, Idang. It is designed to provide school children with daily access to protein as part of efforts to improve learning and health outcomes.
Ahead of the launch, representatives of both organizations on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, His Royal Highness Nyong Effiom Okon I JP to seek the support of traditional institutions. Chiefs of the community and members of the media were also present.
Apostle Williams Ohaeri, founder of the Yolk of Hope Initiative, said the project was conceived in response to rising cases of malnutrition among school-aged children in Cross River. He warned that poor nutrition in early years could have long-term effects on education and productivity.
Assoc. Prof. Esther Archibong, Executive Director of the Ememobong Humanitarian Foundation, added that the campaign requires collective effort to succeed. “No single organization can do this alone. We need leaders, communities, and partners to work together,” she said.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler Okon I welcomed the project and pledged his palace’s support, describing it as timely. He said the involvement of traditional institutions was vital to ensuring the programme’s acceptance at the community level.
Available data show that Cross River State has one of the highest rates of childhood undernutrition in southern Nigeria, with health experts warning that the situation threatens both academic performance and long-term human capital development.
Observers note that while food security remains a national challenge, community-driven initiatives such as this could complement government policies and interventions.
The September 22 launch is expected to draw participants from government, civil society, and the education sector, with organizers hopeful that the campaign will be scaled up to other parts of the state if successful.
