By Grace Onwukwe
Orumba South Local Government Area has strengthened its preparedness to combat malnutrition and anaemia as it inaugurated its Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition.
The inauguration, held on October 4, at Umunze, aligns with the Federal Government’s IN-774 Initiative, which seeks to achieve a well-nourished Nigeria through improved access to adequate nutrition for healthy living and sustainable development.
The initiative adopts a bottom-up approach, targeting the grassroots to promote the consumption of natural food sources, encourage balanced diets, and prevent stunting, wasting, and obesity among children, as well as anaemia among pregnant women.
Performing the inauguration on behalf of the State Government, the State Nutrition Officer, Dr. Rose Amasiani, represented the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake (State Focal Person, Steering Committee on Food and Nutrition), and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Chinyere Nwabachili (Chairman, State Council on Food and Nutrition).
Members of the Orumba South Committee include: Hon. Ngozi Obidike, Deputy Mayor, Orumba South LGA (Chairman); Mrs. Chukwulolue I.O., Head, Local Government Administration (HLGA); Nnolum Ngozi, Treasurer, Orumba South LGA; Aniukwu Philomina O., HOD Health; Anuna Regina, Head, Personnel Management; Ihevu Joy, HOD Education; Hon. Olumba J. Chuma, Supervisor for Agriculture; Hon. Chinedu Onyeacho, Secretary, LGA; Hon. Buchi Obioma Okoli, Supervisor for Works; Okonkwo Ifeoma B, Information Department and Ezenwata Lovina, Nutrition Focal Person, Orumba South.
In her address, Dr. Amasiani emphasized that nutrition remains a major pillar in combating hunger, poverty, and disease in Nigeria. She explained that the committee structure—from national to local levels—was designed to strengthen grassroots interventions using the Mother, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) approach, with a focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
She said that Nigeria ranked first in Africa and eighth globally in malnutrition prevalence, with 40% of children stunted and 60% of pregnant women anaemic. According to her, nutrition is multi-sectoral and everyone’s responsibility, urging members to work as a team.
Dr. Amasiani further advised the committee to expand its membership to include philanthropists and community stakeholders, and to ensure the creation of a dedicated budget line for nutrition, the implementation of nutrition interventions, establishment of a WhatsApp platform for coordination, and quarterly meetings with reports submitted to the state and national levels.
She noted that the Governor’s Nutrition Scorecard remains a key benchmark for assessing state performance, acknowledging that while Anambra has ranked low in previous assessments, the new LGA-level committees are expected to drive significant improvement.
In his remarks, the Mayor of Orumba South, Hon. Shedrack Azubuike, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s smart initiatives in the state. He appreciated the state team for the inauguration and pledged his administration’s full support to ensure Orumba South becomes a model in grassroots nutrition sensitization and healthy living campaigns.
Also speaking, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Ngozi Obidike, emphasized the importance of returning to local delicacies to prevent diseases and promote healthy living. She assured that the committee would leave no stone unturned in addressing malnutrition and anaemia in the area.
The Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Chukwulolue I.O., described Orumba South as one of the food baskets of Anambra State, expressing confidence that the committee would perform optimally to ensure every household participates in the fight against malnutrition.
Delivering a vote of thanks, the LGA Secretary, Hon. Chinedu Onyeacho, commended the state government for its efforts, describing the inauguration as a stepping stone toward a healthier Orumba South. He pledged that no community would be left behind in the campaign against food insecurity, malnutrition, and anaemia.
Other members of the State Team present at the event included Uju Adindu (Nutrition Desk Officer, RUWASSA) and Grace Onwukwe (Desk Officer, Ministry of Information)
Grace is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
