Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, has reiterated the need for Nigeria to focus on locally sourcing food formulas as a key strategy in combating the growing problem of malnutrition among children in the country.
“The issue of malnutrition is a major concern, and we believe that locally sourcing food formulas can help address this problem,” Jatau said in a press statement through a statement issued by Jack Tasha, Senior Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the Governor, after attending the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and National Economic Council (NEC) meetings in Abuja.
Jatau emphasised that Nigeria is rich enough in food crops that can meet the nutritional needs required for sustainable food formulas, reducing the country’s dependence on expensive imported alternatives.
“In Gombe, we have already developed a locally sourced food formula, which has been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),” Jatau revealed.
He stated that such initiatives would not only address malnutrition but also alleviate the financial burden of importing foreign food formulas.
Further, Jatau discussed the importance of boosting investment opportunities within Gombe and Nigeria as a whole to address economic challenges, particularly unemployment among the youth.
He stressed that increased investment would significantly contribute to expanding the state’s internally generated revenue.
“The generated funds should be used to improve infrastructure, including transportation, land availability, power generation, and tourist attractions—creating a more conducive environment for business growth,” Jatau said.
On matters discussed at the NEC meeting, Jatau shared that Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the council, expressed concern over the country’s high interest rates, which he believes could stifle investments.
“The Vice President called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take steps to lower these rates,” Jatau said.
Additionally, the NEC unveiled the “744 Nutrition Campaign,” an initiative aimed at ensuring that all 744 local government areas in Nigeria have access to nutritious food for children, a crucial step in addressing malnutrition.
At the NGF meeting, the governors highlighted the urgent need to identify legitimate sources of internally generated revenue to improve livelihoods amid the country’s ongoing economic difficulties.
They also voiced support for the launch of the autobiography of former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, with the goal of building a presidential library to foster knowledge and institutional memory for the nation’s benefit.
In the course of the meeting, presentations were made by the American Ambassador to Nigeria, and the Minister of Women Affairs.
The American Ambassador to Nigeria encouraged Nigerians to prioritize their health and explore opportunities under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which promotes agricultural development and improves the lives of Nigerians.
The Minister of Women Affairs underscored the importance of empowering women at all levels, urging support for their contributions to national development.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that Jatau’s statements reflect a growing commitment at both the state and national levels to address critical issues like malnutrition, economic challenges, and social empowerment for the nation’s prospects.
