Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has inaugurated the Abia State Council on Nutrition to drive the implementation of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative across the state.
The Council is tasked with providing leadership, policy direction, and oversight for the sustainable implementation of nutritional programmes, in line with the National Council on Nutrition’s directives.
Speaking at the inauguration in Umuahia, Governor Otti described the initiative as timely and essential for improving the health outcomes of residents.
“Clearly, when you talk about nutrition, the initiative is very good and we welcome it. The heavy investments we are making—15% of our total budget in the last two years for healthcare and 20% for education—are deliberate,” he said.
“So, when you see us fixing roads in Aba, in Umuahia, cleaning up the environment, and investing in healthcare, it’s because we believe that if people are well fed, they will likely not fall ill. The outcome is fewer sick people and more productivity,” the Governor explained.
He admitted, however, that the state had not been deliberate in monitoring nutrition data but said the federal advocacy visit had triggered a shift in that direction.
“Now that you have come here, if there’s nothing else you have achieved, it is that we will now begin to monitor our nutrition indicators deliberately,” he added.
He urged members of the Council to prioritise coordination and performance tracking, describing it as a direct and meaningful intervention.
Delivering an overview of the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwukah, who also serves as the Focal Person for Nutrition at the Office of the Vice President, said the advocacy visit was directed by Vice President Kashim Shettima under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She explained that N-774 is a government-led, community-based, multi-sectoral strategy aimed at improving nutrition outcomes in all 774 local government areas.
“Today, one in every three Nigerian children under five is stunted. Malnutrition contributes to nearly half of under-five deaths annually. Even here in the South East, with food-rich markets, pockets of malnutrition persist,” she said.
“Malnutrition does not respect tribal, cultural or religious boundaries. It is a universal language of poverty. That is why the fight against it must be collective, collaborative, and urgent,” she added.
Mrs Rochas-Anwukah emphasised the three pillars of the initiative: political will at the subnational level, multi-sectoral collaboration, and accountability with proper financing.
“Appropriation is not enough. Funds must be released on time, and every naira spent must show measurable results. For that, we need strong data systems,” she stated.
She noted that the fight against malnutrition will be won at the grassroots and praised the involvement of traditional and religious leaders.
“Our Royal Fathers and religious leaders serve as daily advisors. Local Government Chairmen are our captains, leading tactical units to identify vulnerable households and ensure interventions reach where they are most needed. But every captain needs a commander,” she said.
She commended Governor Otti for being the first state leader to inaugurate the Council and urged him to integrate nutrition into agriculture, education, health, and social protection programmes.
“Let us make nutrition financing predictable and sustainable—not just donor-driven but government-owned and government-led. History remembers those who rose to the challenge of their time,” she said.
The Council, chaired by Governor Otti, includes the Commissioner for Budget and Planning (Vice Chairman), House Committee Chairman on Food and Nutrition, ALGON Chairman, and Commissioners for Health, Agriculture, Education, Finance, Women Affairs, Information, Arts and Culture, Power, and Social Protection. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, will serve as Secretary.
PIAK