WorldStage Newsonline– Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday in Abuja unveiled plan to improve nutrition indices across the country.
Shettima, who unveiled the plan at a high-level dialogue on nutrition at the Presidential Villa, urged faith and traditional leaders to champion the effort in their communities.
The theme of the one-day dialogue was “Faith Leaders as Catalysts for Enhanced Human Capital Through Nutrition.”
It was organised by the National Council on Nutrition (NCN) and the World Bank-assisted Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) Project.
The vice-president says Nigeria’s future does not only depend on food abundance but on nourishing food supply.
He added that “we must proclaim to the world that our commitment to producing food of unparalleled richness is not rhetoric.
“This gathering is a solemn pledge to safeguard our well-being and preserve the legacy of generations yet to come.”
Shettima restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritising nutrition as part of Nigeria’s food security drive.
He said “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to prioritising nutrition as an integral component of our quest for food sufficiency.
“This is our inspiration to implement quality, cost-effective nutrition services.
“From providing support to pregnant and lactating women to ensuring the well-being of adolescent girls and children under five years of age, President Tinubu’s vision has propelled us to a future where every Nigerian has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.
“However, we depend on the support and guidance of those who wield influence within our communities to drive this change.”
He urged faith and traditional leaders to champion proper nutrition practices in their spheres, integrating nutrition education sermons in their places of worship and cultural gatherings.
“Your influence is indispensable. We believe that, regardless of the quality of ideas we bring to the table, our efforts will fall short without your participation and endorsement.
“This is an avenue to reassure you that we are committed to more than just talk; we will take tangible action by reaching out to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including pregnant women, children and the elderly.”
Shettima thanked federal ministries and partners like the World Bank for supporting the nutrition drive in the country, saying “together, let us stand as beacons of hope, leading the charge toward a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow for all.”
Earlier, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, said malnutrition and related challenges over the years negatively impacted human capital development in the country.
On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the engagement with faith-based leaders was not just a dialogue, but a clarion call for action to address one of society’s most disturbing challenges.
Pate called on religious and traditional leaders to leverage their network and influence the society to support government in combating hunger and malnutrition.
He described faith-based leaders as “the backbone of communities, hence their importance in improving nutritional outcomes in various domains.”
In their separate remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Daniel Okoh, pledged their commitment to efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the country.
