It’s time to end malnutrition, Shettima tells NCN
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that it is time to move beyond talk and take decisive action to end malnutrition in Nigeria, directing members of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt a multisectoral approach to the ongoing efforts. He said malnutrition is a crisis that threatens the […]
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that it is time to move beyond talk and take decisive action to end malnutrition in Nigeria, directing members of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN), Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt a multisectoral approach to the ongoing efforts.
He said malnutrition is a crisis that threatens the nation’s security and economic productivity, and without tangible results, discussions, committees, and even the Council itself would amount to nothing more than an exercise in futility.
Shettima, who spoke on Wednesday during a virtual meeting of NCN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said beyond statistics, nutritional deficiencies are a palpable reality.
“We are dealing with a crisis that threatens both our national security and economic productivity. Malnutrition is not just a health issue; it is a silent emergency that affects cognitive development, weakens our workforce, and slows down the engine of national growth.
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“This is why we must approach it with the urgency it deserves. This is why we must champion a multisectoral response that brings together our MDAs, development partners, and the private sector in a coordinated quest for lasting solutions,” the Vice President stated.
He however acknowledged the importance of data and statistics in tackling malnutrition, maintaining that whatever policies or programmes that are prioritised “must be guided by practical, evidence-based assessments.
Shettima emphasised the need for the government to take the lead in meeting the funding requirements, saying the success of any intervention cannot be guaranteed unless it is financially spearheaded by the government.
Earlier, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said the purpose of the meeting was to scale up actions on issues concerning food and nutrition in the country.
“This council is a platform for marking up, assessing and driving forward the national agenda on the nutritional health and well-being of our people. It also marks a pivotal checkpoint in our national efforts to address challenges in improving food and nutrition across all sectors, promote better health outcomes and strengthen collaboration,” he said.