By Grace Onwukwe
Awka North Local Government Area has joined the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Agenda with the inauguration of its Committee on Food and Nutrition. The initiative aims to strengthen nutrition education at the grassroots level and combat malnutrition through the Mother, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) approach.
The inauguration ceremony, held on October 23 at the Local Government Headquarters in Achalla, was part of the government’s bottom-up strategy to tackle malnutrition. It seeks to promote natural food sources, encourage balanced diets, and prevent stunting and wasting among children, as well as anaemia in pregnant women.
The inauguration was conducted by members of the State Council on Food and Nutrition on behalf of Dr. Rose Amasiani, the State Nutrition Officer, who represented the State Government, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake (State Focal Person, Steering Committee on Food and Nutrition), and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chinyere Nwabachili (Chairman, State Council on Food and Nutrition).
Members of the newly inaugurated committee include: Hon. Scholastica Onwugbufor – Deputy Mayor (Chairman); Mrs. Vera Otue – Director of Finance; Hon. Enemuo Michael Tochukwu – Supervisory Councillor for Health; Mrs. Okeke Angela – Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture; Dr. Chukwudi Njelita – Director, Primary Health Care (PHC), Awka North; Comrade Uche Nworah – Head, Department of Social Services and Mrs. Mary Moujekwu – Education Secretary.
Others are Mrs. Philomena Nwokoye – Head, Department of Information; Mrs. Ibekwe Ifeyinwa – Representative of Head of Tertiary Institution; Mrs. Ojiekwu Obianuju – Representative of Professional Association; Mrs. Ifeyinwa Mesigo – LGA Nutrition Focal Person (Secretary); Mrs. Njideka Ozoigbo – Member, PHC Department; Mrs. Uche Emodi and Mrs. Ekesiobi Gloria – Heads of Department, Agriculture.
The committee was encouraged to expand its membership to include philanthropists and community stakeholders. It was also advised to ensure the creation of a dedicated budget line for nutrition activities, establish a WhatsApp platform for coordination, hold quarterly meetings, and submit reports to the state for onward transmission to the national level. Additionally, the committee is to contribute data to the Governor’s Nutrition Scorecard—an important tool for assessing state performance at both national and global levels.
Representing the Mayor of Awka North, Hon. Dr. ThankGod Anago, the Deputy Mayor, Hon. Scholastica Onwugbufor, expressed delight at the inauguration and pledged the council’s full support to the committee to ensure quality service delivery. She commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his leadership and commitment to improving nutrition and health outcomes across the state.
Hon. Onwugbufor described Awka North as a hospitable and progressive local government area that continues to achieve great milestones despite its relatively small population. She assured that the committee would work tirelessly to ensure no community is left behind in promoting healthy living and improved nutrition practices.
In her vote of thanks, the Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Ndibe Rose, appreciated the state team for the inauguration and called for continued support from both the state and federal governments to enhance service delivery at the community level.
Grace is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
