Starrays
By Moses Agbe-(NASS Abuja)
ln a landmark event, the House Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, House Commitee Chairman on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon Chike Okafor, House of Reps Members and 27 State Houses of Assembly Members and Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate,
Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu and other Developmental Partners resolved to end malnutrition and food insecurity in the country through effective collaboration and symbiotic partnership.
This historic resolution was arrived at when the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security held inauguration of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security in Abuja on Monday, the 22nd of July, 2024.
On his own part, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas raised concerns about the growing food insecurity in the country, saying that there was a need to reinforce the urgent need to address the issue of nutrition and food security as the representatives of the people; “We are taking concrete steps to restore hope to the suffering masses that will guarantee the enhancement of their well-being”, he stated.
The Host of the event, Hon Chike Okafor, said it was important to note that malnutrition and food insecurity remained a constant threat to socio-economic development in Nigeria. In his words,
“There is, however, cause for optimism; the optimism we share stems from the fact that, for the first time, attempts to tackle malnutrition and food insecurity will have a legislative push”, he said,; adding that this would be driven by a joint work plan with flexibility for the incorporation of state-specific exigencies.
Eminent participants at the event aired their views on the food security challenges facing the nation while expressing appreciation to the House Speaker, Hon Chike Okafor and other organisers and developmental partners that contributed significantly towards making the event a success.
HON OLOGEDE OLAOYE, CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITEE ON NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY, ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: ‘I will personally appreciate the organisers of this program, the House Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas; the Chairman House Commitee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon Chike Okafor and other developmental partners for putting up this event in order to sensitise the House of Assembly members from the 36 states of the federation most especially the Chairmen of the House Committees on Nutrition and Food Security.
“This exercise has been so wonderful, impactful and illuminating and we have learnt a lot from the resource persons especially the developmental partners and agencies. I am delighted to be here and l thank the Honourable Speaker for utilising the committee chairmen on nutrition for the benefit of Nigerians at large.
” I have gained a lot from this program and the first thing I will do when l get back home is to appraise my political leaders on the glaring importance of nutrition and food security in the lives of our Ondo people.
“And l will also detail the developmental partners we can work with to make Ondo State food sufficient and protect our farmers so that they can grow more food for our people”, he assured.
HON DR SULAIMAN ABUBAKAR FANA CHAIRMAN HOUSE COMMITEE ON NUTRITION AND FOOD SECURITY, KEBBI STATE: ‘It is a welcome development that the National Assembly decided to centralise the issue of food security by bringing members of the state houses of assembly together to brainstorm on it which will certainly guarantee the program’s success.
“Our amiable governor, Dr Halidu Mairiga whom we call the ‘inclusive governor’ because he consults widely on state policies and programs has been doing his best on the issue of food security that is why Kebbi State is so peaceful and stable.
“We also thank the Hon Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas and the Ministers of Agriculture, Health and National Planning as well as the developmental partners for contributing to making this program a success”,- Hon Suleiman Abubakar Fana concluded.
In a related development, the delegation from Taraba State House of Assembly, Jalingo led by the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Health Services, Hon. Joseph K. Kassong and the Clerk of the Committee, Comrade Demekpe Terngu Nathaniel Ph.D stormed the arena of conference/workshop on the second day of the event due to flight challenges, as reported by the team leader, Hon. Kassong.
The vibrant Member in an interaction with Star Rays online, lauds the Hon. Speaker Tajudeem Abbas Ph.D for the bold initiative to put a national parliamentary mechanism in place that will network towards boosting nutrition and food security and its sustainability in the country.
The Taraba Member, also rained praises on his, governor, His Excellency, Gov. Kefas Agbu for the great job he is already doing in this direction of boosting agriculture in the State, especially in the area of Nutrition and Food Security.
Hon. Kasong further promised to synergies with his Honourable colleagues in the House on the knowledge he has gained from the workshop and other critical stakeholders in this sector in the State, in order to arrest the challenges of Nutrition and food Security and boost the sector as well as, its sustainability.
