The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Moses Essien, has called on Governor Umo Eno to urgently convene and inaugurate a State Food Security Committee to address nutrition and food security challenges.
Essien, who also serves as the Public Relations Officer of the Forum of Chairmen on Nutrition and Food Security in the 36 State Houses of Assembly, made the call while speaking with journalists in Uyo on Wednesday. His remarks followed a visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas, in Abuja.
He disclosed that the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security would soon begin engagements with key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate the official inauguration of the Local Government House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security.
The relevant ministries include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development, Budget Office, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Bulk Purchase Agency, among others.
According to Essien, Nigeria cannot effectively tackle the “hydra-headed challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity” without the involvement of subnational and local government structures. He emphasized the need for all tiers of government to play an active role, noting that the N774 initiative is designed to incorporate all 774 local government councils in the country into the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition.
“Combating the hydra-headed challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity cannot be fought with only the national without the sub-national and local government involvement.
“The N774 initiative is aimed at involving all the 774 local government councils in Nigeria in the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition,” he stated.
Essien outlined the composition of the proposed Akwa Ibom State Food Security Committee, as contained in the Standard Operating Procedures. The committee is expected to be chaired by Governor Umo Eno, with members including:
The Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security
The Chairman of ALGON (Association of Local Governments of Nigeria) in the state
The Commissioners for Finance and Economic Development
The Chairman of the State Council on Nutrition and Food Security, who will serve as the Secretary
He urged Governor Umo Eno to immediately inaugurate the committee and empower it to take decisive action in addressing food security concerns.
Essien further highlighted the important role of local government legislative councils in the fight against food insecurity. He noted that the councilors representing wards in the Local Government Legislative Councils would play a crucial role in implementing the Nutrition 774 Standard Operating Procedures, bringing interventions closer to the grassroots.
“This shows the level of commitment in Nutrition 774 Standard Operating Procedures in fighting against food insecurity and malnutrition by involving the grassroots commanders,” Essien added.
To achieve the four pillars of food security—availability, access, utilization, and stability— Essien called on all stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State to support Governor Umo Eno’s food security initiatives by returning to farming.
“This is farming season, and with the rain setting in, we must make adequate and effective use of the season through farming to have food to feed our teeming population,” he urged.
With the threat of food insecurity and malnutrition looming, Essien’s call for state-wide and grassroots participation in food security initiatives underscores the urgent need for policy implementation and collaboration. His appeal to Governor Umo Eno signals the necessity of a coordinated response to safeguard food security in Akwa Ibom State.
