House of Representatives, on Monday, solicited the support of Development Partners in its quest to proffer lasting solutions to the menace of malnutrition and food insecurity across the country.
Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Chike Okafor gave the charge during the flag-off of National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security and Investiture of Speaker Abbas, in a workshop for newly constituted leadership of State Houses of Assembly Committee on Nutrition & Food Security,
He lamented that; “Malnutrition and food insecurity remain a constant threat to socio-economic development in Nigeria, as much as it has become an existential threat. Worsening inflation has also aggravated this burden on ordinary Nigerians. Between the last time we met in Owerri, May 2-4 with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly and today, food insecurity situation in Nigeria has worsened. There is, however, cause for optimism.
“The optimism we share stems from the fact that for the first time, attempts to tackle malnutrition and food insecurity will have a legislative push. Furthermore, this legislative perspective will be driven collectively and holistically, anchored on the joint effort of the committee at the National and State Houses of Assembly, driven by a joint work plan with flexibility for incorporation of state-specific exigencies.
“This is the purpose of the formation of the National Network on Nutrition and Food Security which is being created at this meeting. We are all aware of the impact of multiple taxation on agricultural produce as they traverse from one part of Nigeria to the other. This has resulted in wide discrepancies in cost of food items like Maize, Beans, Millet, Soya Beans, Rice, Yams, etc from Birnin-Kebbi to Badary, Yola to Yenegoa, Azare to Aba, Okenne to Onitsha, Adamawa to Anambra States, etc.
“We need to address this distortion holistically through appropriate National and State legislations. Post-harvest losses have continued to be a source of concern to us, as it has also negatively impacted food security. It is time we provide a collective, strategic solution from a legislative lens. Malnutrition is now a potent negative threat to societal well-being more than ever before. Among children under 5, it progressively reduces their brain development, especially among stunted children.
“One can only imagine the kind of leadership stunted children will offer Nigeria in the next 30-40 years if the current rate of under-5 malnutrition and stunting is not reversed. We must step up efforts to upscale the management of malnutrition at community level, especially in the context of Legislation. Obesity among adults is also a form of malnutrition, and this poses a great risk to non-communicable diseases.
“As a committee, working with our counterparts in the states, we will see how to strengthen existing laws that address this, conscious of the fact that Non-Communicable diseases seem to be on the rise.”
He explained that the committee at her maiden retreat in Owerri with Development Partners and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly on May 2-4, 2024 developed and adopted a Work Plan covering June 2024 –December 2025; a period of 18 months.
“This plan, the first of its kind, contains innovative and strategic interventions jointly to be undertaken by the committee in the National and State Houses of Assembly to address malnutrition and food insecurity in the short and medium- term. Subsequently, at the end of 2025, we will develop that for 2026-2027.
“Given the holistic nature of this plan, involving extensive travels to the 36 states, detailed legal input, Policy reviews, and joint implementation monitoring and oversight, I call on development partners and other stakeholders to key in, and support the implementation of this strategic document.”
While delivering the keynote address, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas underscored the need for increased resource mobilization, legislation, and more importantly oversight on issues related to Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria.
Hon. Abbas who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Benjamin Kalu explained that the creation of the Committee was a reflection of the importance attached by the 10th Assembly to “Nutrition and Food Security, especially in the context of the fact that current economic challenges have been worsened by hunger, inflation, and increasing poverty, all exacerbating food inflation.
“I must however admit that when this committee was conceived late 2023, we did not envisage that the Country will be at this dire level of malnutrition and food insecurity.”
He maintained that optimum health, remains “a pre-requisite for economic development cannot be attained amidst malnutrition and food insecurity.
“Both are mutually antagonistic. Malnutrition, whether in the child, adolescent, or adult exposes the victims to health challenges on account of diminished capacity to fight infections occasioned by lowered immunity. Worse still, malnutrition is increasingly becoming a national security challenge not only in Nigeria, but in some other developing countries.
“In light of the above, I am pleased to identify with the Committee on Nutrition and Food Security of the House of Representatives, 10th National Assembly. I have already created a budget line for Nutrition and Food Security, which will enable activities to be captured statutorily in subsequent budget estimates under this sub-head.
“I urge this Committee to continue to provide the needed push to galvanize Federal and State level actors towards improved nutrition, especially among women, children and other vulnerable groups to guarantee Food Security in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin reaffirmed the Network’s commitment towards working collectively for a common goal – the eradication of malnutrition and the promotion of food security across our great nation.
Hon. Ogundoyin who doubles as Chairman, Conference of Speakers pledged his “unwavering support to this Network and its Work Plan. I am fully committed to galvanizing my esteemed colleagues across the country to join hands in removing legislative obstacles that perpetuate malnutrition and food insecurity. I am proud to see the collaboration between the National Assembly and the 36 State Houses of Assembly. This network will facilitate a unified approach to monitoring and implementing projects in nutrition and food security, ensuring that we meet our set objectives.
“We recognise that legislative action is crucial in driving the necessary reforms and policies to address these pressing issues. By working together, we can enact laws and implement measures that empower our people, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure access to nutritious food for all.
“Let us collaborate with stakeholders, engage with experts, and champion evidence-based solutions that will transform the lives of our constituents and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
“Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against malnutrition and food insecurity. Let us seize this opportunity and work diligently towards a healthier and more prosperous Nigeria.”
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