Kano SAPZ urges media to boost Nutrition awareness in communities
Nutrition
By Muhammad Nur Tijani
Kano, Dec. 12, 2025(NAN) The Kano State’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme has called for enhanced partnership with media organisations to drive behavioural change aimed at improving nutrition in intervention communities.
The Knowledge Management and Communication Officer for the programme, Rabi Sadiq, disclosed this after an advocacy visits to selected media houses in Kano on Friday.
Sadiq said that the visit was part of efforts to deepen awareness on the importance of proper nutrition, especially among women, children and other vulnerable groups in communities benefiting from the SAPZ initiative.
She said that media remained critical partners in mobilising communities, disseminating nutrition messages, and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce malnutrition.
According to her, the media remain strategic partners in advancing nutrition messaging, mobilising communities and supporting the Federal Government’s drive to address malnutrition in rural areas.
“The SAPZ initiative, jointly supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), state governments and private investors, is currently in its first phase, covering seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” she said.
Sadiq said that the media would be provided with access to experts, data, success stories, and other materials to aid impactful reporting on nutrition.
According to her, the advocacy visits followed a media-preference survey conducted in October 2025 to identify preferred communication channels, prime times, and tools for reaching target audiences, including women of reproductive age, youths, and persons with special needs.
She said that the survey revealed that Radio Kano, Express Radio, Arewa Radio, and Dala FM are the most listened-to stations, while Arewa24 and ARTV were the preferred television platforms in LGAs with reliable power and internet. Morning hours were identified as the best time to reach audiences.
Speaking also, Auwal Umar, Nutrition Officer at the Kano State Ministry of Health, stressed that strengthening nutrition education and multi-sectoral interventions, including media partnerships, were essential in addressing the challenge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all visited stations pledged support for the SAPZ programme, with Arewa24 already airing a dedicated nutrition programme that reaches several African countries while maintaining African cultural values. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MNT/OJI/BRM
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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Bashir Rabe Mani