ASHENEWS reports that the federal government has inaugurated the Nutrition Core Working Committee (NCWC) to tackle severe scute malnutrition in the country.
Inaugurating the committee on Friday, Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima said that the committee will spearhead the fight against hunger and malnutrition across Nigeria.
Shettima, in his remarks emphasized the importance of coordination and collaboration with the National Committee on Food and Nutrition (NCFN).
“We are determined to upturn the negative nutrition indices of this country,” he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s immense potential for prosperity, Shettima pledged the federal government’s unwavering support to the committee.
He said that the committee will be expected to advise the federal government on ways to ensure that malnutrition is addressed while also drawing up a roadmap to address the challenge.
Shettima added that the federal government was resolute in its commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty and malnutrition in the country.
He reminded the committee members of their shared responsibility, even as he said, “We are all products of the public school system, and history will judge us harshly if we fail to change the narrative of this country.”
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Office of the Vice President, Uju Okorocha, said “ The incursion of nutrition in Nigeria is far beyond health.”
“The committee’s mandate extends beyond healthcare, encompassing education and the broader socio-economic impact of malnutrition.
“The committee will focus on a multi-sectoral approach, ensuring coordinated efforts across government agencies to deliver effective solutions and meet multi-sectoral action targets. Innovative financing mechanisms will also be explored to further strengthen the fight against malnutrition.”
She said that the committee members have the knowledge to move the needle on the issue of malnutrition in Nigeria.
She further advocated the establishment of nutrition departments across all government ministries and agencies, both at the national and sub-national levels.
Members of the committee include representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the World Bank Group, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Nutrition International, the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, and the Civil Society Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN).
