Shettima: FG addressing underlying causes of food crisis… developing resilient systems

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal government is working to address the root causes of the nutrition crisis in Nigeria.

Stanley Nkwocha, spokesperson to the vice-president, said in a statement that Shettima spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting of the National Council on Nutrition (NCN).

Shettima said more measures have been approved to tackle the food crisis in the country.

The vice-president, who is the chairman of NCN, said stakeholders’ collaboration is crucial to solving Nigeria’s nutrition problem.

He said one of the measures is the establishment of a national nutrition dashboard, which will be hosted by the federal ministry of budget and economic planning.

He said updates will be uploaded on the website of the NCN, adding that it will provide better coordination of nutrition-related initiatives across the country.

He also said the recently created presidential food systems coordinating unit, which will operate within the framework of the presidential economic coordination committee, is another measure to tackle the food crisis.

“Our dedication to this council reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving the nutritional status of every Nigerian,” the statement reads.

“The Tinubu administration recognises the urgency of the food crisis and is addressing its underlying causes with a view to developing more resilient and sustainable food systems in Nigeria.”

He commended all stakeholders at the meeting for their efforts in the nutrition sector, adding that the government is ready to work with them.

“We are willing and ready to work with you for the good of the Nigerian nation. Let us forge ahead with optimism and resolve, knowing that together we are making substantial changes in the lives of our people. I extend my gratitude for your steadfast support and diligent efforts,” he added.

“Collaboration is paramount to our continued success in addressing national nutrition challenges, and I encourage active and proactive participation from all involved ministries and partners, as your contributions are essential to our progress.

“Together, through robust and dynamic collaboration, we can achieve significant advancements in our mission to improve nutritional outcomes for all citizens.

“All the ministers are willing to collaborate with each other, anchored on maturity, mutual trust, and confidence.

“I must commend the actions of the ministry of health and social welfare in convening a task force to address the acute malnutrition crisis in the country. The efforts have manifested in the acquisition of millions of packs of commodities.

“The joint efforts of the minister of health and the coordinating minister of the economy to restructure the World Bank project resources, securing about 30 million dollars for commodities, are also highly commendable and deeply appreciated.

“The ministry of finance’s task force to accelerate cash transfers and the ministry of agriculture’s initiative to increase food availability and affordability further demonstrate our collaborative efforts.”