Vice President Kashim Shettima has tasked local government chairmen with spearheading the Nutrition 774 (N-774) project to enhance health standards at the community level. During a meeting with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the Presidential Villa, Shettima emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu views nutritional improvement as a vital governance mandate that must be put into practice immediately.
The Vice President instructed ALGON to bolster Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition, transforming them into hubs for planning, coordination, and accountability. He noted that while state governments have made strides, the lack of a structured nutrition agenda at the council level remains a critical void in national policy. He stated that national goals must result in tangible outcomes that lead to healthier families and children free from preventable malnutrition.
Shettima identified local government chairmen as primary responders to community issues, noting that their proximity to the people makes them essential for driving development. He encouraged the leaders to focus on addressing poverty and food security, asserting that history will evaluate them based on the quality of their service to their constituents.
ALGON National President, Engr. Bello Lawal, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the initiative. He highlighted that ALGON intends to strengthen local food systems by boosting agricultural productivity and improving storage and processing capabilities. Lawal further requested that the federal government include nutrition services for children and expectant mothers under the National Health Insurance Scheme, while pledging to lead community outreach efforts to ensure nutrition becomes a shared societal priority.
