FG to tackle malnutrition through data

•NCWS, ActionAid target microfinance banks for grassroots women empowerment

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, yesterday, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to addressing the challenge of malnutrition in the country by leveraging data from the National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS) report.

The minister made this known during the launch of the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey report in Abuja.

Bagudu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Nebolisa Anako, stressed that adequate and proper nutrition is indispensable for human capital development for all ages whether at embryo stage in the mother’s womb, infants, adolescents and adults.

He said that the objective of the survey is to enable the country to have a reliable database for food consumption patterns that would serve as a source of information for addressing issues of chronic non-communicable diseases and to improve the food systems to deliver healthy diets to Nigerians.

In another development, the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and ActionAid Nigeria are working to set up microfinance banks across states to support grassroots women access to finance for small businesses.

National President, NCWS, Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau, said that empowering Nigerian women at the grassroots will not only reduce poverty, but bring about economic development.

She stated this at the 2024 biennial convention of NCWS, with the theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ at the weekend in Abuja.

She said: “Women stand as pillars of strength, resilience, and innovation, yet they continue to face barriers that hinder their progress.