ANAMBRA ATTAINS FULL NUTRITION SPACE AS AGUATA LGA INAUGURATES COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND NUTRITION

By Grace Onwukwe

Anambra State has attained full space in its nutrition drive with the inauguration of the Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) Committee on Food and Nutrition, making Aguata the 21st and final LGA to establish the committee.

With all 21 LGAs now having functional Committees on Food and Nutrition, the state is fully positioned to tackle malnutrition through strengthened grassroots nutrition education and the implementation of the Mother, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) approach, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among residents.

The inauguration ceremony, held on February 11, in Aguata, aligns with the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative, which seeks to achieve a well-nourished Nigeria through improved food security, adequate nutrition, and sustainable development.

Adopting a bottom-up approach, the initiative targets grassroots communities to promote regular physical activity, consumption of natural food sources, balanced diets, and the prevention of stunting, wasting, obesity among children, as well as anaemia among pregnant women.

The committee was inaugurated by the State Nutrition Officer, Dr Rose Amasiani, who represented the State Government, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and State Focal Person, Steering Committee on Food and Nutrition, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Chairman, State Council on Food and Nutrition, Mrs Chinyere Nwabachili.

Members of the newly inaugurated committee include:

Hon. Kingsley Ezeagu – Deputy Mayor (Chairman); Osegbo Uju – LGA Nutrition Focal Person; Dr Ifeyinwa Orie – Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA); Orah Joy C. – Supervisor for Health; Oliobi Tony Padre – Supervisor for Agriculture; Dr Nzewi Emeka – Director of Health; and Onyema Thecla C. – Education Secretary.

Others are Rev. Godwin Onyeizugbe – Director of Information; Emeagwali Chinwe – Head of Department, Agriculture; Nwankwo Franca Chiamaka – Director of Finance; Sunday Madu – Head of Department, ESD; Umennajiofor Ifunanya – LGA Secretary; Dr Ebere Okonkwo – Special Adviser to the Mayor; Nwosu Adaora – Head of Department, BPRS; and Anigbogu Juliet Uche – Education Supervisor.

The committee was encouraged to expand its membership to include philanthropists and community stakeholders. It was also advised to create a dedicated budget line for nutrition activities, establish a WhatsApp platform for effective coordination, hold quarterly meetings, and submit regular reports to the state for onward transmission to the national level. Members were further urged to contribute data to the Governor’s Nutrition Scorecard, a key tool for assessing state performance at national and global levels.

The Mayor of Aguata LGA, Dr Chibueze Ofobuike, expressed delight over the inauguration and pledged the council’s full support to ensure outstanding performance. She urged the committee members to give their best in service delivery and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and health outcomes across the state.

In his remarks, the Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Kingsley Ezeagu, assured that no community would be left behind in the campaign for healthy living and the discouragement of harmful additives and preservatives. He added that although Aguata was the last to inaugurate its committee, it would take the lead in achieving the initiative’s objectives.

Also speaking, the Head of Local Government Administration, Dr Ifeyinwa Orie, noted that local delicacies remain the best due to their nutritional and medicinal value. She urged committee members to serve as role models by practising what they preach in their homes and communities.

In a vote of thanks, the Director of Health, Dr Nzewi Emeka, commended the state team for the inauguration and assured that the committee would work collectively to positively impact the lives of the people of Aguata.

Members of the state team present at the event included Mrs Orji Obianamma B. of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Grace Onwukwe of the Ministry of Information.

Grace is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State