Gov. Otti adopts ‘Nutrition 774 Initiative’ in response to a silent emergency
By Chukwuma Elvis
Nutrition is described in some quarters as the foundation of life hence the need for humans particularly children to be properly nourished in the overall quest for a healthy body which has the ability to ward off challenges which may arise as a result of malnutrition.
Sub Saharan Africa has battled with malnutrition for decades. In the 1980’s the nation of Ethiopia was hard hit by malnutrition following severe drought leading to widespread crop failures. The world watched on live television as hunger ravaged everyone, reducing the population to mere skin and bones – children bore the brunt; tens of thousands died!
Sadly this situation has persisted and based on available data, Nigeria occupies the 2nd position on the list of ‘the most children dying as a result of malnutrition’ globally. This is happening in a tropical Nation potentially able to produce enough food from Agriculture to feed a significant portion of the African continent.
To halt this negative trajectory, the Federal Government of Nigeria instituted the “Nutrition 774 Initiative” which has been fully adopted Abia by the forward thinking administration of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.
On Tuesday the 22nd of July, Governor Otti inaugurated the State Council on Nutrition to implement the Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative of the Federal Government in the state. The governor chairs the council and this underscores the importance attached to the adoption and implementation of this laudable policy of the nations Federal Government.
It is worthy of note to mention that Abia is selected as the first state in the Federation to be the pilot for the implementation of the National N-774 initiative by the Vice President of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shetima who is the Chairman of the National Council on Nutrition – NCN.
The state Council on Nutrition was constituted by Governor Otti to provide leadership, policy direction, coordination and oversight to sustain and implement nutritional activities across the State in line with the policy directives of the Federal Government ‘N774′.
Governor Otti has once again proved Abia to be a reliable partner in cascading policies of the Federal Government to meet the needs of local communities which represent the primary target of this new drive to stave hunger from the Land thereby sustaining healthy citizens to protect the future of the nation.
The anchor person of the N-774 initiative and Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Public Health Mrs. Uju Rochas Anwukah while briefing Abia state Governor stated that the framework of the policy is not a one size fits all but is tailored to meet specific needs of beneficiaries in various communities addressing peculiar challenges holistically and in a sustainable manner.
This fresh policy drive to address malnutrition among vulnerable groups specifically children under five, the elderly and women mostly in rural communities will follow a multi sectorial approach to coordinate all nutritional programmes for effective coverage and progress monitoring.
Governor Otti who described malnutrition as a silent emergency urged participants at a two day workshop to unveil the new policy drive aimed at evolving enduring solutions to confront this menace, noted that nutrition is directly linked to the quality of human capital in society.
He further identified that his government has devoted 35% of the states annual budget to education and healthcare demonstrating his passion and vision for human capital development in the state.
Gov. Otti noted that with the vast arable land the nation is endowed with, Nigeria should not be grappling with malnutrition at such a high scale. He advised for factors mitigating full capacity utilization in Agriculture to be tackled quickly as part of the mix of solutions in the fight against malnutrition.
Mirroring the National Council on Nutrition, the Abia Nutrition Council which is chaired by the governor has membership drawn from a cross section vital Ministries including Commissioner for Budget and Planning serving as Vice Chairman, Chairman House Committee on Food and Nutrition, ALGON Chairman, Commissioners for Health, Agriculture, Basic and Secondary Education, Finance, Women Affairs, Information, Arts Culture and Creative Economy, Power and Public Utilities, Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection while the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and Planning will serve as Secretary to the Council.
The state council on Nutrition has hit the ground running by setting its first target which is to reduce stunting significantly among Abia children in the next five years according to the focal person of the N774 initiative Mrs Uju Anwukah.
This is another testament that Dr. Alex Chioma Otti leads from the front not shying away from duty calls targeting the upliftment of his people whenever he is called upon.
There is no doubt that the vision of the N-774 initiative will succeed in the hands of Abias’ purposeful governor who always takes to heart the well-being of Abians as now reflected in this Federal Government initiative which has come to be fully embraced by Abia.
Abia is on the move and is counted among the committee of the progressives.
The fight is against malnutrition in Abia and Dr. Alex Otti is leading the charge, supported by able lieutenants and all other people of goodwill.
Chukwuma Elvis
Public Affairs Commentator