The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has intensified efforts to tackle malnutrition and household poverty through the promotion of affordable, locally sourced nutritious foods, empowering women with practical knowledge to improve family nutrition for good health and a sustainable living.
The initiative was highlighted at the Scale-Up Feeding for All Pupils with Varieties of Locally Sourced Nutritious Food Programme, held on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at the Etsu of Karu Palace, New Karu, Nasarawa State.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, in his opening remarks delivered by his representative, Mrs. Mfawa Tom Usani, Deputy Director and Head of the Nutrition Department, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing hunger and malnutrition, particularly among children from vulnerable households.
He emphasised that, good nutrition is essential to children’s physical growth, cognitive development and learning capacity. He also noted that, promoting locally sourced foods would encourage dietary diversity, support local farmers and food producers, also contribute to sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that, investments in child nutrition are investments in Nigeria’s human capital, calling on stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of the initiative.
In her remarks, Her Royal Majesty, Adaluka Panya, the Queen of Karu, commended the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for bringing the programme to the community, describing its practical food demonstrations as impressive and beneficial to women and families.
She noted that, the use of foodstuffs sourced from local markets had demonstrated how nutritious meals could be prepared with limited financial resources. She urged women to apply the knowledge acquired, stressing that, healthy family meals do not necessarily require substantial expenditure when locally available ingredients are properly utilised.
The Queen expressed appreciation on behalf of the Karu Kingdom, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, noting that, the initiative would benefit households while supporting local farmers and food suppliers.
In his closing remarks, the Assistant Director, Nutrition Department, Mr Ibrahim Dantani Mohammed appreciated the Nasarawa State Government, the participating MDAS, development partners, traditional and community leaders parents, food vendors, farmers and all stakeholders for their valuable support.
He said, the Federal Government remain committed to building a Nigeria where every child has access to safe, adequate, diverse and nutritious food, irrespective of their socio-economic circumstances.
He said, the ministry looks forward to continued collaboration towards scaling up nutrition sensitive feeding intervention ocross Nigeria.
The highlight of the event was the cooking training programme, with the locally sourced nutritious food items.
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Janet McDickson Noah
Director, Information and Public Relations.
