Governor Dauda Lawal has inaugurated the Zamfara State Nutrition Council, declaring that malnutrition is not only a health crisis but also a major economic barrier and a threat to human capital development.
The official launch of the Zamfara Nutrition 774 Initiative took place on Tuesday at the council chamber of the Government House in Gusau.
The initiative, according to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, is a community-driven, multi-sectoral program designed to improve nutrition outcomes across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The newly constituted State Council on Nutrition will coordinate and implement sustainable nutrition interventions throughout Zamfara State.
Governor Lawal emphasized the urgent need to address malnutrition, particularly among children, as part of his administration’s development agenda.
“We cannot build a secure, resilient, and prosperous Zamfara on a foundation of poor nutrition,” he said. “An investment in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is the single most significant investment we can make in this state’s future.”
The governor highlighted that the N774 Initiative’s multi-sectoral approach integrates nutrition with health, agriculture, education, social protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
He noted that the program aligns with Zamfara’s “Rescue Agenda” and aims to strengthen local nutrition structures while empowering women.
Lawal announced that the council, comprising key commissioners and government officials, has been given full authority to set policy, coordinate programs, and oversee all nutrition-related activities in the state.
“This launch today is therefore a call to action,” he added. “To our partners in the national team, we are ready to work and rely on your support to build local capacity for a smooth rollout. My administration is fully committed to the success and sustainability of the N774 Initiative in Zamfara State.”
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas Anwukah, commended the Zamfara State Government for its commitment to improving health and nutrition. She described the N774 Initiative as a crucial step toward building a well-nourished and healthier Nigeria.
The Zamfara State Nutrition Council, as gathered by WorldClass247News,is expected to drive the implementation of the initiative in all local government areas, with the goal of improving child health, reducing malnutrition rates, and fostering long-term economic growth.