By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has advocated for the Federal Ministries of Agricultur...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has advocated for the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Health, as well as State Governments, to invest massively in the provision of staple crops, fingerlings, and animal husbandry to combat poverty and malnutrition in the country.
Governor Umaru Bago stated this while speaking as a panelist at the "Dialogue" aimed at addressing the surge in malnutrition in Northern Nigeria. The event, organized by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, was held in Abuja.
He emphasized that agriculture should not be limited to cropping but should also include other aspects to explore the value chain necessary to address poverty and malnutrition, especially in the Northern Region.
Governor Bago stressed the importance of relevant ministries partnering with all states to effectively address malnutrition, adding that Niger State is already generating data through primary health care centers to tackle the challenge.
He also revealed that his administration has diversified the state's economy by improving agricultural production to a mechanized level, aiming to feed both the state and the country.
The governor mentioned that the state government is partnering with several investors to produce nutritious food with a value chain.
He reminded the Federal Government that it has cleared one million hectares of land in the state, strategically positioning it to contribute to the nation's strategic crop reserve.
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who also serves as the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed that the Federal Government is expanding food production to address malnutrition and other related challenges.
He mentioned that the Federal Government has mobilized 1.3 million doses of multiple micronutrient supplements to support pregnant women and has prepared $30 million from the UNICEF Children's Nutrition Fund to purchase therapeutic foods for 1,200 primary healthcare centers across the country.
In their remarks, the Governors of Zamfara and Katsina States, as well as the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Dauda Lawal, Dikko Umar Radda, and Abubakar Tafida respectively, lamented how insecurity has negatively affected food production. However, they expressed optimism that new policies they are introducing would address the trend of malnutrition in their states.
The Director of Food and Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Fatima Sugra Mahmud, who represented the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, highlighted environmental challenges responsible for the surge in malnutrition. She revealed several plans for collaboration with state governments, including providing improved seedlings to farmers.
The Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Chief Osita Chidoka, described the statistics of malnutrition in the country as worrisome and pointed out that the event was crucial in finding lasting solutions. He expressed confidence that the commitment from the governors present would lead to the desired results.
The high point of the event was the presentation of an honorary award to Governor Umaru Bago and other panelists.
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