The Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has inaugurated the State Council on Nutrition 774, reiterating his administration’s firm commitment to combating malnutrition and enhancing food security across the state.
The inauguration took place following a courtesy visit to the governor by Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwuka, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health (Office of the Vice President), who was in the state for the official launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
She told Governor Namadi that the initiative conceived under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was introduced by Vice President Kashim Shettima as a flagship programme of the National Council on Nutrition to address the alarming rate of malnutrition in Nigeria.
“The Nutrition 774 of the Renewed Hope Agenda was initiated by the Vice President in response to the devastating impact of malnutrition and its associated consequences on our society,” she said. “This is not just a health issue but a national economic concern. When a family is malnourished, the entire system focuses on survival rather than development, and that ultimately affects our nation’s growth.”
She added that development partners have demonstrated a strong commitment to the initiative, which aims to mobilise communities, stakeholders, and state governments to take collective action against malnutrition.
Governor Namadi commended the Office of the Vice President for the initiative and reaffirmed Jigawa’s leadership in nutrition advocacy and implementation.
“Jigawa has been at the forefront of tackling malnutrition, but there is still more to be done,” he said. “Your visit will further strengthen our ongoing efforts.”
The governor emphasised the importance of community participation, noting that effective nutrition interventions must start at the grassroots.
“Our Masaki Programme, established in 2020, has been a key platform for driving nutrition campaigns at the community level,” Namadi stated. “Since inception, about 1.3 million people have benefited from its activities, and we allocate ₦13.5 million monthly to sustain it. We plan to review and strengthen the programme further because investing in nutrition is investing in the future.”
He also highlighted other state-led initiatives, including the Tom Brown Supplement Programme, under which 600 women have been trained and supported to produce and package nutritional supplements for local distribution in partnership with NAFDAC and local governments.
Governor Namadi revealed that ₦250 million is allocated annually for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in collaboration with UNICEF, while the Jigawa State House of Assembly contributes ₦300 million yearly to support community-level nutrition interventions.
Governor Namadi assured that Jigawa will be the first state to fully implement the goals of the Nutrition 774 initiative.
The newly inaugurated Jigawa State Council on Nutrition 774 will serve as the coordinating body for all nutrition-related efforts across ministries and sectors.
The governor will chair the council, with membership comprising Commissioners of Budget and Economic Planning, Finance, Agriculture, and Basic Education, while the Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Planning will serve as Secretary.