The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and UNICEF have urged the six area councils in the FCT to take greater ownership of food and nutrition programmes to tackle malnutrition and strengthen food security.
The Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership Secretariat, Mr Ubokutom Nyah, made the call at the Area Council Committee on Food and Nutrition’s second-quarter meeting and capacity-building programme in Abuja.
Nyah, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr Uba Bala, described nutrition security as essential to human capital development and economic growth. He urged area councils to improve coordination and ensure that resources reach vulnerable households and communities.
The Director of Food and Nutrition, Princess Gaza-Oluwafemi, said the training focused on the local burden of malnutrition, priority interventions and the critical first 1,000 days of life. Participants were also trained in monitoring, evaluation, reporting and developing practical, localised nutrition plans.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr Dan Gadzama, said area councils were critical to translating government policies into tangible benefits, particularly for pregnant women and young children.
Representatives of the six area councils pledged to prioritise nutrition policies, while Aid Diversion Committees were inaugurated for each council to promote transparency and accountability in the management of nutrition resources.
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