Friday, February 21, 2025 - The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged state governors, ministers, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to take urgent and decisive action against the scourge of malnutrition in the country.
According to him, the consequences of malnutrition go beyond the health
sector, forming the root of the challenges that hinder productivity, learning,
and national growth.
Senator Shettima made this statement on Thursday while officially
launching the Nutrition 774 Initiative at the 148th meeting of the National
Economic Council, NEC, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Beyond mere statistics, the Vice President noted that the alarming
figures—indicating that about 40 per cent of Nigerian children under five
suffer from stunting, 8 per cent from wasting, and 27 per cent from being
underweight—represent real children whose futures are at risk even before they
have a chance to begin their life’s journey.
This, he said, is why the Nutrition 774 Initiative marks a turning
point, emphasising that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers it a national
priority in fulfilment of his promise to Nigerians.
The Vice President stated: “By focusing on grassroots impact, we will
ensure that mothers and children across all communities have access to critical
nutrition support where it matters most.
“This initiative is, therefore, an invitation—an invitation to all
stakeholders: our governors, ministers, local government chairmen, development
partners, and the private sector—to take action. It is also a pledge to the
people of Nigeria that we will not stand by while our children suffer the
preventable consequences of malnutrition.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, embraces this initiative
not only as the fulfilment of his promise to the nation but also as a national
priority—because a well-nourished population is a premium insurance for our
future.”
Describing the Nutrition 774 Initiative as the first government-led
intervention to combat malnutrition on a broad scale, Vice President Shettima
explained that it is “designed to improve coordination, financing, and
accountability while adopting a multi-sectoral, community-driven approach.”
He added: “Through this initiative, every mother and child—regardless of
their location—will have access to life-saving nutrition interventions tailored
to their unique needs.”
The Vice President appealed to all stakeholders to take the initiative
seriously, as its success “rests on collaboration and the investments we all
make to sustain it.”
He continued: “I have no doubt that every stakeholder present today is
prepared for the task ahead. The compact we sign today is not merely ink on
paper—it is a commitment to the lives of millions of Nigerian children who
deserve a future unshackled by malnutrition.
“The foundation we lay today will determine the strength of our nation tomorrow. As we embark on this journey, let us be guided by the certainty that no investment yields greater returns than investing in the health and well-being of our people.”
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