Admin I Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor, Ph.D., has reiterated his commitment to addressing food insecurity in Nigeria following a strategic meeting with the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, His Excellency, Atiku Bagudu.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in the Minister’s office in Abuja, focused on strengthening budgetary allocations for nutrition and food security initiatives.
Hon. Okafor, accompanied by the Committee Clerk, Mrs. Millicent Egenti, and the lead consultant to the Committee, Dr. John Onyeokoro, emphasized the urgent need for budgetary provisions that reflect the pressing realities of food scarcity and malnutrition affecting millions of Nigerians.
After the meeting, Hon. Okafor described the discussions as “an opportunity to align legislative priorities with the executive’s plans for national food security.”
He highlighted the need for adequate and sustained funding to tackle rising food costs, enhance agricultural productivity, and support vulnerable populations, particularly women and children at risk of malnutrition.
Senator Bagudu, recognized for his commitment to agricultural development during his tenure as governor of Kebbi State, expressed his unwavering support for the committee’s efforts.
He then assured Hon. Okafor of the Ministry’s dedication to prioritizing food security and nutrition as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic planning.The meeting aligns with the federal government’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity challenges, exacerbated by inflation, climate change, and regional instability.
It also shows the critical role of collaboration between the legislative and executive arms of government in shaping effective and sustainable policies.
This partnership between Hon. Okafor’s committee and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is expected to drive initiatives aimed at improving access to nutritious food, revitalizing the agricultural sector, and strengthening the national response to hunger and malnutrition.
Hon. Okafor, a strong advocate for social welfare and development, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that legislative oversight delivers tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“Food security is not just a policy issue; it is a matter of national survival. We must act swiftly and decisively to secure the future of our people,” he said.
This meeting sets the stage for more targeted and comprehensive interventions in the 2025 budget, with a focus on mitigating the food crisis and establishing a foundation for long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s food systems.
