Nutrition council adopts measures to combat malnutrition, food insecurity
By Salisu Sani-Idris
The National Council on Nutrition (NCN) has approved measures to combat malnutrition and food insecurity in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve the nutritional status of Nigerians.
Delivering his address during the council’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, Vice-President Kashim Shettima stressed the need for proactive participation from all stakeholders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders include Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), development partners, aming others.
The approved measures include the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard to be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The dashboard would be uploaded on the website of the NCN, aims to provide better oversight and coordination of nutrition-related initiatives across the country.
Shettima said the dedication of the council reflects Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian.
He said the Tinubu administration recognised the urgency of the food crises, and was addressing its underlying causes with a view to developing more resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
The vice-president who commended the efforts of the stakeholders in the nutrition space, assured development partners and other actors of the Federal Government’s readiness to work with them.
”We are willing and ready to work with you for the good of the Nigerian nation. Let us forge ahead with optimism and resolve, knowing that together we are making substantial changes in the lives of our people.
”I extend my gratitude for your steadfast support and diligent efforts. Collaboration is paramount to our continued success in addressing national nutrition challenges.
”And I encourage active and proactive participation from all involved ministries and partners, as your contributions are essential to our progress.
” Together, through robust and dynamic collaboration, we can achieve significant advancements in our mission to improve nutritional outcomes for all citizens.
”All the ministers are willing to collaborate with each other, anchored on maturity, mutual trust and confidence,” he said.
Shettima commended the efforts of some frontline ministries in combating malnutrition and hunger in the country, describing their actions as worthy of emulation.
He said: ”I must commend the actions of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in convening a task force to address the acute malnutrition crisis in the country.
”The efforts have manifested in the acquisition of millions of packs of commodities.
” The joint efforts of the Minister of Health and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy to restructure the World Bank project resources securing about 30 million dollars for commodities is also highly commendable and deeply appreciated.
”The Ministry of Finance’s task force to accelerate cash transfer and the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiative to increase food availability and affordability further demonstrates our collaborative efforts.”
Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, emphasised the administration’s commitment to prioritising nutrition as a crucial component of national development.
” This initiative provides us an opportunity to step up our collective efforts to improve the country’s food and nutrition security,” Bagudu said.
He said that the meeting which received updates on Nigeria’s current nutritional status focused on proposing actionable recommendations and exploring ways to enhance the implementation of existing nutrition intervention programmes in line with national policy.
Also, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, outlined eight interrelated priority areas designed to address the nation’s nutritional needs.
He said the areas are enhancing value chains for improved nutrition; diversifying household production and consumption with a focus on women, improving access to micronutrient-rich foods, and enhancing food safety along the value chain.
Abdullahi also hinted at plans to build resilience and social protection networks for vulnerable groups, promote nutrition research, and improve the agriculture sector’s capacity to address food security and nutrition problems.
The strategy, according to him, also includes providing nutrition education, social marketing, and advocacy, as well as conducting nutrition surveillance, monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the initiatives. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
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