Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, said Nigeria under the
leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, had shown a clear commitment to the eradication of malnutrition.
Agba stated this during the flag off/joint ministerial press briefing of the 2021 Nigeria nutrition week on Tuesday, 7th December, 2021.
He said this was evident in the prioritization of nutrition in the new National Development Plan 2021-2025 and Nigeria Agenda 2050 which placed critical emphasis on strategic multi-sectoral interventions to address food and nutrition insecurity.
He said that the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NMPFAN 2021 – 2025) was approved by the Federal Executive Council on the 8th of September, 2021. The minister launched the Plan on Tuesday.
Agba further stated that research had shown that “investments in nutrition prevents undernutrition, build human capital, boost shared prosperity and improve health outcomes.”
According to the Minister, returns from programmes for improving nutrition far outweighed their costs while delay and failure in addressing malnutrition had high costs in terms of higher budget outlay as well as lost GDP and this, he added, “makes investment in nutrition a must do.”
He said to commemorate the 2021 edition of the Nutrition Week, several activities had been lined up including the Joint Ministerial Press Briefing, launch of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, Public Lectures and media awareness on “the basic issues that influence the quality of coverage and frequency of reporting of nutrition activities among other activities.”
Agba added that undernutrition had irreversible consequences on physical and cognitive development.
Read him: “As part of other efforts to address malnutrition and related challenges in the country, the present administration, in collaboration with the sub-national governments, is considering an “Operation Feed Yourself” initiative to encourage the establishment of urban farms school and home gardens.
“The plan for ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ is one of the three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition.
“Others are supporting farmers across the country, with agrometeorological information and advisory services that will improve farm yields, and also encouraging State Governments to ensure prompt release of budgeted funds for nutrition and related interventions,” he said.
He extended deep appreciation to staff members and management of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning as well as other stakeholders “who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of all the events of the programme.”
Agba also commended stakeholders for honouring the invitation and to Development Partners who have been very supportive in championing the fight against malnutrition and its associated problems in the country.
“Nutrition is not just a health issue, it is about the potential of the next generation. Let us all therefore ensure that every child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.
“The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning therefore reaffirms its commitment to stand ready to continue to support activities for the Nutrition Week that focuses on holistically addressing the burden of malnutrition.
“We hope that this nutrition week celebration will underpin the efforts of the government, healthcare professionals and key stakeholders in their joint endeavour towards better nutrition and health for the people of Nigeria,” the minister said.
Agba officially flaged off the 2021 Annual Nutrition Week.
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