Take decisive action against malnutrition, Shettima urges NCN

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) to take decisive action against malnutrition in the country.

Shettima made the call on Wednesday during a virtual meeting of NCN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He called for multi-sectoral approach to ending malnutrition in Nigeria.

The Vice-President said that malnutrition threatens the nation’s security and economic productivity.

According to him, there is need for all stakeholders to work together to address malnutrition.

Shettima said beyond statistics, nutritional deficiencies are a palpable reality.

“We are dealing with a crisis that threatens both our national security and economic productivity.

“Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it is a silent emergency that affects cognitive development, weakens our workforce, and slows down the engine of national growth.

“This is why we must approach it with the urgency it deserves.

“This is why we must champion a multi-sectoral response that brings together our MDAs, development partners, and the private sector in a coordinated quest for lasting solutions.”

Shettima, however, acknowledged the importance of data and statistics in tackling malnutrition.

He maintained that whatever policies or programmes designed to address the problem “must be guided by practical, evidence-based assessments.

“We must empower the institutions responsible for food and nutrition governance to deliver on their mandates.

“And this council must take the lead in ensuring that our efforts are strategic, data-driven, and results-oriented.

“The interventions rolled out under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, are products of careful analysis and informed decision-making.

“We have the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a grassroots-driven programme designed to institutionalise nutrition at the local government level, ensuring that no community is left behind,” he added.

Shettima emphasised the need for the government to take the lead in meeting the funding requirements.

According to him, the success of any intervention cannot be guaranteed unless it is financially spearheaded by the government.

“Nigeria’s demographic size makes us a focal point of global concern, and our efforts are part of a broader international campaign to end malnutrition.

“However, global commitments mean nothing if they are not translated into domestic accountability.

“The world is watching us, but more importantly, the Nigerian people are counting on us,” Shettima said.

Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to scale up actions on issues concerning food and nutrition in the country.

“This council is a platform for marking up, assessing and driving forward the national agenda on the nutritional health and well-being of our people.

“It also marks a pivotal checkpoint in our national efforts to address challenges in improving food and nutrition across all sectors, promote better health outcomes and strengthen collaboration,” he said.

Also, Dr Emeka Obi, the Secretary to the Council and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said the meeting deliberated on significant milestones in Nigeria’s effort to address malnutrition in Nigeria.

“The multi-faceted nature and complexity of the challenges of nutrition require a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach involving all stakeholders at both the national and subnational levels of government, with the support of development partners and stakeholders.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council resolved to activate the National Nutrition Dashboard and keep it running online, as having the devices in offices is insufficient.

It recommended that the dashboard be established at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters, the governors’ forum, key government ministries, and offices of key development partners.

The council also resolved that the Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning and the Ministry of Women Affairs should take the lead in establishing a nutrition department in their ministries.

There were other updates on the Review of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, Nutrition for Growth (N4G) project, and the Presidential Nutrition Investment Fund.