- Malnutrition Costs Nigeria Over $1.5 Billion Each Year – FG
- Rochas-Anwuka commended the Cross River State Government for allocating funds to nutrition programs
- Otu mentioned plans to expand school feeding programs to reach more children
The Federal Government has declared the malnutrition crisis a national emergency, warning that annual losses due to malnutrition exceed $1.5 billion.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwuka, made this statement in Calabar, Cross River State, during a courtesy visit to Governor Bassey Otu.
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Rochas-Anwuka highlighted that Nigeria ranks first in Africa and second globally for child malnutrition, emphasizing that this situation undermines human capital and national development.
“The Nutrition 774 Initiative was created to provide a coordinated response to Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis, elevating nutrition as a national priority,” she said. “It is a multi-sectoral, community-based framework designed to improve nutritional outcomes across all 774 Local Government Areas of the country.”
She explained that the initiative is guided by a five-phase Strategic Plan that focuses on strengthening governance, ensuring accountability, and promoting long-term sustainability.
Each state council on nutrition is tasked with providing leadership, policy direction, and oversight to drive the implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
Rochas-Anwuka commended the Cross River State Government for allocating funds to nutrition programs, noting that such commitment strengthens local systems and aligns with national priorities.
“The goal is to achieve a well-nourished and healthy population through strengthened local systems and coordinated national action on nutrition,” she said.
Governor Otu stated that his administration deliberately designs policies with citizens at the center of development, particularly in areas essential to human capital growth.
“Our agenda has always been clear; we aim for a people-centered government. Every decision we make prioritizes the welfare of our citizens,” he said. “Education and health are crucial sectors-without them, no society can truly progress.”
He noted that his administration emphasizes nutrition and preventive healthcare as the foundation for long-term development and that these efforts have already produced measurable results.
“Since strengthening our nutrition sector, we have observed a steady decline in infant morbidity and mortality rates,” he said.
Governor Otu outlined interventions by his government, including fully paid maternity and paternity leave, support for parents in nurturing their children, and plans to fortify staple foods such as rice with essential vitamins.
He also mentioned plans to expand school feeding programs to reach more children.
“Preventive health is far more effective than treating illnesses after they occur. That is why we are investing in nutrition, early childcare, and food security to build a strong foundation from infancy,” he explained.
The governor thanked the presidential aide for her visit and reaffirmed Cross River State’s commitment to reforms that improve health, education, and overall wellbeing.
He emphasized his administration’s focus on people-centered governance, with particular attention to nutrition, preventive healthcare, and education, while calling for increased federal support to sustain these reforms.
