*** *Seeking support from development partners for the Nutrition 774 initiative to combat malnutrition*
Vice President Kassim Shettima has announced the federal government’s comprehensive vision framework for a national nutrition program to address malnutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria.
The proposed program ‘Nutrition 774 Initiative’ aims to improve nutrition outcomes in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.
Speaking at a roundtable with development partners at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, Vice President Shettima said the initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader focus on food security and availability across Nigeria. He said that it was.
“The priority that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pursued on food availability goes hand in hand with our efforts to eradicate malnutrition.
“Our aspirations as a nation go beyond simply having an abundance of food in our barns and storehouses. We ensure that every household across Nigeria receives a preferred and prescribed diet essential to a healthy life. We can’t claim victory unless we’re confident we can get it,” the vice president said.
Recall that the 144th National Economic Council (NEC) in September approved the Nutrition 774 program as the primary platform to combat malnutrition within Nigerian communities.
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The Council encouraged development partners to provide financial and technical support to support this effort.
At a roundtable with development partners on Tuesday, the Vice President recognized the important role that cooperation plays in addressing the country’s nutritional challenges and urged development partners to support the proposed initiatives. did.
“This vision must be owned by our development partners as much as it is owned by the government, because each of us is a stakeholder in the emergence of a healthy and stable Nigeria.” he said.
Vice President Shettima said the proposed Nutrition 774 initiative takes a grassroots-led approach, with local stakeholders working to improve nutrition in their communities and investing in local capacity through training of health workers and community leaders. He explained that he was given the authority to take on the role.
“The Nutrition 774 Initiative is a guarantee to all Nigerians, young and old, single and married, from North to South. I assure you that it is a mission that must be pursued with passion,” he said.
The Vice President further added that while Nigeria is dealing with recent floods and global inflationary pressures impacting food security, “our response is not only innovative, but also directly addresses these challenges.” I have to do it.”
“Every naira invested in the nutrition of the nation will pay dividends many times over, not only in the health of the nation but also in the security and future of our country,” he added.
Vice President Shettima also emphasized the importance of oversight and stressed that local government councils, which have shown commitment, enthusiasm and passion in driving the process forward, need to be encouraged.
Earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Peete, said that under the National Nutrition Council, the He said that these efforts are extremely important.
The Minister noted that this issue needs to be addressed systematically, adding that “the approach under the Vice President’s leadership will take into account and promote our national structure: federal, state and local governments. For all stakeholders to address the issue.
“We need all sectors to come together to tackle this problem, beyond the sectors of agriculture, health, water and sanitation and social protection. , you end up just making a profit.”
“This can only be successful and sustainable if we forge a common direction as a strong collaborative partnership between the federal government, local governments, development partners, civil society organizations and the private sector across ministries and local governments. And I think the vice president’s leadership on this council has allowed all of this to come together as a central unit as we move forward.”
Representatives of development partners who attended the meeting praised the efforts of the federal government and pledged their full support to nutrition programs, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to scaling up nutrition nationwide.
Specifically, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the African Development Bank of Nigeria, said the bank was pleased to join the federal government’s efforts to combat malnutrition and hunger. He said that this initiative is very timely as it has been featured prominently. Support across the continent.
He said the bank is committed to supporting the promotion of medical infrastructure and technical assistance for related programs in the medium to long term.
Similarly, Ndiame Diop, Country Director for Nigeria at the World Bank, said the vision of the Nutrition 774 Grassroots Initiative is as compelling as its diagnosis is correct and its framework is consistent with global evidence in the field. He said that
He pledged the World Bank’s full support for this program and said the Bank already has a fit-for-purpose, ongoing program in place to support this effort.
He emphasized the need to quickly mobilize resources across private and public sector stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Meanwhile, Melissa Jones, USAID mission director in Nigeria, said bold humanitarian leadership is needed to address the malnutrition crisis, which is exacerbated by natural disasters and other factors.
Noting that USAID is consistent with the values and objectives outlined in the Nutrition 774 Grassroots Initiative, and applauding the government’s initiative to prioritize local government in the framework of the program, it also emphasized the need to synergize efforts and work as a group. .
Also present at the meeting were representatives from UNICEF, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the World Food Program (WFO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the European Union (EU), the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and Bill and Melinda. Gates Foundation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Islamic Development Bank, Nutrition Angel, etc.
*Stanley Nkwocha*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President for Media and Communications*
*(Vice President’s Office)*
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