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KDSG reviews policy on food, nutrition
HarvestPlus Nigeria, an initiative, has supported the Kaduna State Government (KDSG) in reviewing its policy on food and nutrition.
It works with partners to tackle hidden hunger on a global scale by breeding vitamins and minerals into everyday food crops.
The two-day review was organised by the State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), where the state’s committee on food and nutrition is domiciled, in collaboration with HarvestPlus.
The Country Manager of HarvestPlus, Dr Yusuf Dollah, stated that with a focus on enhancing production standards, saying that iw was poised to elevate the quality and efficacy of its bio-fortified crops.
He underscored HarvestPlus’s decade-long dedication to developing bio-fortified crops tailored to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations.
Dollah added that crops meticulously bred to contain essential micro-nutrients and vitamins, offered a sustainable solution to combating malnutrition and promoting healthy growth.
He, therefore, stressed that reviewing the state Policy on Food and Nutrition was important to HarvestPlus so as to ensure their bio-fortification efforts align with national policies and priorities.
He equally said it would inform their policy decisions that can scale up biofortification impact on addressing hidden hunger.
“It will help us align with the state policy on food and nutrition, so as to maximize our impact and contribute to a more comprehensive approach to addressing malnutrition and improving public health,”he added.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Commissioner of commission, Mr Mukthar Ahmed, thanked HarvestPlus for itr unwavering dedication in championing the cause of nutrition and sustainable agriculture in the region and Kaduna in specific.
Ahmed was represented by the Director, Development Aid Coordination of the PBC, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad.
He said that through robust discussions, knowledge
sharing, and collective brainstorming, it would pave the way for innovative solutions that will drive positive change and foster sustainable development in the state.
“I am confident that this workshop will serve as a platform for constructive dialogue, meaningful exchange of ideas, and the forging of partnership that will propel us towards
our shared goal of a healthier, more nourished future for all,”he said.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr Aisha Abubakar, said living things need nutrition to survive.
She mentioned some of the challenges that deprive individuals and communities of optimal nutrition.
They include government policies, climate change, inadequate food fortification and supplementation practices, poverty and food insecurity, among others.
Abubakar, therefore, said eating small in the right diet will go a long way, adding that addressing the challenges is crucial to ensure that individuals and communities can achieve optimal nutrition and overall well-being.
In a goodwill message, the State Coordinator for Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Ms Jessica Bartholomew, said the engagement would enhance multi sectoral plans.
She said the current economic status has affected nutrition status in Kaduna State, where the review of the policy on food and nutrition was a critical step towards addressing it.
Also, Sarah Kwasu of Alive and Thrive, and Malam Sani Hassan of Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said a lot of things have changed, which made the review critical.
The duo commended the government for initiating the review of the State Policy on Food and Nutrition.
They added that the milestone demonstrated its commitment to addressing malnutrition and ensuring a healthier future for its citizens.
They acknowledged the progress made so far and reaffirmed their support to the government in achieving its nutrition goals.
Speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the last day of the review on Thursday, Mr Cyril Inegbedion, said biofortified crops which HarvestPlus wass into was key in the fight against hidden hunger and malnutrition which is prevalent in Northern Nigeria.
Inegbedion is the Project Team Lead for the FCDO funded scaling climate adapted and nutritious smart crops through market systems in Northern Nigeria project in HarvestPlus.
He added that for the particular crops to gain prominence, an enabling environment is critical where they needed the government’s buy-in so as to infuse into its policies, the adoption, production and consumption of biofortified crops.
Speaking to newsmen on the rationale for reviewing the policy, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, the facilitator, said it was to align the policy with current nutrition priorities and evidence-based practices.
She explained that the policy, which was produced in 2017 and expected to last to 2025, was deemed necessary to begin its review process so as to capture new issues and the relevance of what was previously captured in the document.
Muhammad-Idris, who doubles as the Project Coordinator of Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, added that it was to strengthen policy provisions to address malnutrition in all its forms.
“It also enhances coordination and collaboration among stakeholders; improves policy implementation and monitoring and increases investment in nutrition-sensitive interventions,”she said.
She said the expected outcomes from the review would include an updated policy that reflects current nutrition priorities and evidence; improved policy coherence and coordination across sectors and enhanced stakeholder engagement and commitment.
The facilitator equally said it would strengthen capacity for policy implementation/ monitoring and improve nutrition outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
“The review is expected to result in a robust and effective policy that addresses the nutrition needs of the population, particularly vulnerable groups, and contributes to the achievement of national and global nutrition goals,”she said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that present at the review were representatives from various MDAs and development partners in the state.(NAN
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.