By Hassan Hussain
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative aimed at combating malnutrition and promoting healthy living across the country’s 774 local government areas.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the ALGON National Leadership to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they were received by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima.
The delegation was led by ALGON National President, Hon. Engr. Bello Lawal, and included the Deputy National President of the Association, Hon. Engr. Toni Adikibe, who is also the Executive Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Adikibe commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for what he described as ongoing efforts to strengthen economic transformation and improve the health and well-being of Nigerians through the Nutrition 774 Initiative.
He noted that local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, are strategically positioned to drive the nutrition campaign to households across the federation.
The ALGON Deputy National President said Imo State, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, was already advancing similar nutrition programmes through the State Ministry of Health, describing malnutrition as a national emergency that requires collective action.
Hon. Adikibe also reaffirmed ALGON’s resolve, under the leadership of Hon. Engr. Bello Lawal, to mobilise local government chairmen, traditional institutions, women and youth groups to ensure effective implementation of the initiative at the grassroots.
Other ALGON leaders at the meeting also pledged their support for the programme and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to reduce preventable malnutrition across communities.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to strengthen collaboration between the Presidency and the 774 local government areas to achieve the objectives of the Nutrition 774 Initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda
