By Salisu Sani-Idris
VICE PRESIDENT Kashim Shettima has unveiled a comprehensive framework for a nationwide nutrition programme on Tuesday, aimed at tackling malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
The initiative, dubbed “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” seeks to improve nutritional outcomes across all 774 Local Government Areas.
Shettima, during the unveiling at a roundtable with development partners in Abuja, emphasised the programme’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s focus on food security.
He noted that Nigeria’s aspirations go beyond mere food abundance, stressing the need for access to prescribed diets for a healthy life.
Shettima urged development partners to support the initiative, acknowledging collaboration’s crucial role in addressing nutritional challenges.
He explained that the programme adopted a grassroots-driven approach, empowering local actors and investing in local capacity through training health workers and community leaders.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, described the initiative as crucial in addressing acute, sub-acute, and chronic malnutrition.
“Under the Vice-President’s leadership, our approach is to facilitate a collaborative effort, taking into account Nigeria’s national structure comprising federal, state, and local governments.
“To effectively address the issue, we need to engage all stakeholders across various sectors, including Agriculture, Health, Water and Sanitation, and Social Protection.
“Bringing these sectors together is crucial; otherwise, we risk passing the responsibility without tackling the challenge at hand.”
The African Development Bank and World Bank expressed support for the programme, with the USAID Mission Director emphasising the need for bold leadership and stakeholder synergy.
“The initiative is particularly timely, given nutrition’s prominence in the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) continental programming and support.
“The bank is committed to backing initiatives that enhance health infrastructure and provide technical support for related programs over the medium and long term.”
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Ndiamé Diop, said the vision for the Nutrition 774 Grassroots Initiative was s compelling.
He Pledged the World Bank’s full support for the programme, adding that the bank already has ongoing programmes that are fit-for-purpose in supporting the initiative.
He emphasised the need for prompt mobilisation of finance across stakeholders in the private and public sector to ensure sustainability of the programme.
On her part, USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Melissa Jones, said the crisis of malnutrition exacerbated by natural disasters, among other challenges, would require bold leadership in the humanitarian assistance space for them to be addressed.
She noted that USAID aligned with the values and objectives outlined in the Nutrition 774 Grassroots Initiative.
She emphasised the need for stakeholders to synergise efforts and work as a group, and commended the government’s initiative in prioritising local government administration in the framework of the programme. (NAN)
