By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has called for effective collaboration between governments at national and sub-national level and development partners in order to reduce malnutrition and improve food security across the country.
The chairman of the committee on nutrition and food security, Hon. Chike Okafor made the call during the launch of the National legislative network on nutrition and food security in Abuja. The event also featured the investiture of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as national patron of the network and workshops for the newly constituted leadership of the State houses of Assembly committees on nutrition and food security.
Okafor warned that so long as the poor are kept awake by hunger, the rich will not enjoy peaceful sleep. He said.
Malnutrition and food security remain a costant threat to socio-economy development in Nigeria, as much as it has become an existential threat. Worsening inflation has also aggravated this burden on ordinary Nigerians. Between the last time we met in Owerri with speakers of Houses of state Assembly and today, insecurity food situation in Nigeria has worsened.
On his part, Kalu explained that the committee was created in response to current realities.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin reiterated the network’s commitment to the reducing malnutrition of food security.
Ogundoyin who doubles as Chairman conference of Speakers, assured of his members commitment to the work plan adopted in Owerri earlier in the year.
He said: “ You have my unwavering support for this network and it’s work plan. I’m fully committed to galvanizing my esteemed colleagues across the country to join hands in legislative obstacles that perpetuate malnutrition and food security. I’m proud to see the collaboration between the National Assembly and the 36 States Houses of Assembly.
This network will facilitate as unified approach to monitoring and implementing projects in nutrition and food security, ensuring that we meet our set objectives.
