Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has inaugurated the State Nutrition Council to advance the objectives of the Presidential Nutrition 774 Initiative.
The governor, who chairs the council, pledged to champion the initiative during a meeting on Friday with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, who paid him a courtesy visit in Dutse.
“I will lead the Presidential Nutrition 774 Initiative, with Jigawa’s full commitment and significant investment in the fight against malnutrition in the state,” Namadi said.
He noted that Jigawa invests N13.5 million monthly on nutrition programs, while the State House of Assembly contributes N300 million annually for the purchase of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF). “About 300,000 children have been rescued from malnutrition through these interventions,” he added.
The governor revealed that approximately 1.2 million people in the state are actively engaged in combating malnutrition through programs such as the Masaki Nutrition Programme. He also highlighted Jigawa’s efforts in local production of food supplements for children, noting that 600 women had been trained in production and packaging. “We are awaiting the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to complete the registration process so the supplement can reach Nigerian markets,” he explained.
While Namadi expressed reservations about some malnutrition data presented, he assured that accurate figures would be provided to Nutrition 774 for effective planning and intervention.
Mrs. Rochas-Anwukah urged Jigawa to scale up efforts in combating malnutrition, emphasizing that the initiative requires state governors to establish State Nutrition Committees, with themselves as chairpersons. Launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the program aims to reduce malnutrition across Nigeria.
She called on the state government to ensure timely release of funds, approve maternity and paternity leave, establish nutrition departments within ministries, and create centers of excellence as one-stop hubs for nutrition services.
Nutrition 774 (N774) is a comprehensive, multi-sectoral program designed to improve food security, health, and nutrition in Nigeria through local action, community engagement, and collaboration across government and sectors.
