The Jigawa State Government has pledged to serve as a nutrition champion under the Presidential Nutrition 774 Initiative, reaffirming its commitment and investment in the fight against malnutrition.
Governor Umar Namadi made the pledge while inaugurating the State Nutrition Council at the Government House in Dutse during a courtesy visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah.
The governor, who will serve as Chairman of the Council, said the move aligns with Jigawa’s long-standing efforts to improve nutritional outcomes and strengthen health systems across the state.
According to him, the state invests N13.5 million on nutrition monthly, while the State House of Assembly contributes N300 million annually, for the purchase of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods.
He said, about 300,000 children have been rescued from malnutrition, with the huge investment and intervention of our administration in fighting malnutrition.
He stressed that about 1.2 million people are working towards tackling malnutrition in Jigawa through initiatives such as the Masaki nutrition programme.
Malam Umar Namadi said, his administration’s has already invested into local production of food supplement for children where 600 women were already trained on production and packaging of the supplement.
He explained that the Jigawa is awaiting National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to complete registration for the Jigawa nutritional supplement to hit the Nigerian markets.
While the governor has reservations on the data presented on the state’s malnutrition status, he assured that correct figures would be provided to the Nutrition 774 for effective correction.
Earlier in a presentation, Mrs Rochas-Anwukah, explained that Jigawa state needs to scale up efforts on combating nutrition.
She highlighted that the projects strategy demands that Nigerian state Governors set up state nutrition committees, with the Governors as Chairmen of the committees.
She said, the initiative was officially launched by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, in an effort to curtail the menace if malnutrition in Nigeria.
The Presidential Assistant however, appealed to Jigawa state to implement the initiative by timely release fund, approving maternity and paternity leave.
She also advocated for the establishment of nutrition departments in Ministries and Departments as well as establish excellence centres as one stop shop.
Nutrition 774 (N-774) initiative is a program designed to vitalize and incentivize local action and improve food security, health and nutrition in Nigeria.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
