Otti Calls For Urgent Action On Malnutrition Crisis

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has sounded an alarm on malnutrition, describing it as a “silent emergency” that threatens the future of the state and the country.

In an opening address on Wednesday during the Nutrition 774 Training and Advocacy workshop, Governor Otti stated that “the health and well-being of the people is the surest guarantee of the stability and future of any society.

“What we have gathered to do this morning is beyond the simple matters of feeding and nourishment. It is a timely intervention to save the future of our state and country by addressing what has become a critical threat to the physical and cognitive development of the people, especially the younger demographics,” he said.

Governor Otti commended the Federal Government for launching the Nutrition 774 Initiative, saying, “I would like to especially thank the Federal Government for this timely intervention and commitment to the stability and future of Nigerian society, which is what the Nutrition 774 Initiative is all about.”

He emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to addressing malnutrition, stating, “The success of the N774 initiative is dependent on what we do with our vast arable land. Agriculture in the country is seriously hampered by the challenges of insecurity and social unrest.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person for the Nutrition 774 Initiative, Dr Mrs Uju Anwuka, highlighted the severity of the malnutrition crisis, noting that Nigeria ranks second globally in malnutrition-related burden, with an annual economic loss of about $1.5 billion.

Commissioner for Budgeting and Planning Kingsley Anosike emphasised the state’s commitment to the initiative, saying, “Our goal for this year could not be clearer: to check all the green boxes on the National Nutrition Scorecard and proudly claim our title as the best-in-class state for nutrition.”

Governor Otti concluded by declaring the N774 initiative workshop open, stating, “I wish you a successful stay as I declare the N774 initiative workshop in the state open. I wish you a very successful celebration and may God bless us all.”

Otti Calls For Urgent Action On Malnutrition Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper