By Uzair Adam
Vice President Kashim Shettima has officially launched the federal government’s new nutrition initiative, aimed at addressing malnutrition and food insecurity across Nigeria.
The programme, named the “Nutrition 774 Initiative,” is set to improve nutritional outcomes in all 774 local government areas of the country.
Shettima emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that every household in Nigeria has access to nutritious food, beyond just availability in stores and warehouses.
He noted that the initiative aims to eradicate malnutrition through a community-based approach that empowers local actors, such as health workers and community leaders, to take charge of nutritional improvements in their areas.
At a roundtable meeting with development partners, Shettima called for their collaboration to make the programme a success. He explained that addressing malnutrition requires collective efforts from all stakeholders, including the government and development organizations.
The initiative also focuses on training local health professionals to better equip them in handling malnutrition at the grassroots level. Despite recent floods and global inflation affecting food security, Shettima highlighted the need for innovative solutions that directly tackle these challenges.
Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, described the initiative as crucial in addressing malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations.
He stressed the importance of a multi-sectoral approach, integrating efforts from agriculture, health, water, sanitation, and social protection sectors to ensure the success of the programme.