The Plateau State Government has taken a major step toward improving nutrition and public health by inaugurating the State Council on Nutrition.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, officially launched the council as part of the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 (N-774) Initiative.
Speaking at the event, Jatau described the initiative as a welcome development that will strengthen nutrition-related policies and interventions across the state.
The N-774 Initiative, led by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Nutrition, is a multisectoral, community-based program targeting improved nutritional outcomes in all 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
Dr. Uju Rochas, the Presidential aide on nutrition and Focal Person for the N-774 Initiative, presented an overview of the program. She highlighted that malnutrition contributes to about 45% of child deaths in Nigeria and fuels intergenerational poverty.
She emphasized that combating malnutrition requires collaboration across all sectors, calling the initiative a timely response to a growing national challenge.
The newly inaugurated State Council on Nutrition will provide leadership, policy direction, and coordination for the successful rollout and sustainability of nutrition-focused interventions in Plateau State.
This move follows the recent inauguration of the Strategic Board of the Nutrition 774 Initiative by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who described malnutrition as a national emergency with serious health and security implications.
