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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that food security is crucial to overall national development.
Abbas stated this while speaking at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security on a bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the Nutritionist Registration Council of Nigeria and Related Matters (HB 2659).
The Speaker, who was represented by Deputy House Leader, Halims Ibrahim, stated that the challenge is not just to ensure the availability of food, but to ensure that citizens have access to guidance and professional services necessary to make sound nutritional choices.
According to him, “The establishment of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in the 10th House of Representatives reflects our recognition that food insecurity and malnutrition are not merely social welfare concerns.”
“They affect educational attainment, workforce productivity, healthcare expenditure and the capacity of our citizens to contribute meaningfully to national development. A nation cannot fully realise its human potential when preventable nutritional deficiencies undermine the health and development of its people.”
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“Malnutrition encompasses undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity. Its causes include poverty, food insecurity, limited dietary diversity, inadequate nutrition education and unhealthy eating habits.”
“Its consequences range from impaired growth and cognitive development in children to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease among adults. These conditions diminish quality of life, impose significant financial burdens on households and place additional pressure on our healthcare system.”
Abbas commended the chairman of the committee, Chike Okafor, and other key stakeholders, including the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, for spearheading the proposed bill.
Earlier in his welcome address, Okafor explained that public hearings are held to gather feedback, evidence and opinions from citizens, experts and stakeholders before a proposed law is finalised.
According to him, “As a committee, we have no bias or already decided opinion, but we will collate all opinions canvassed by you today either for or against before making our recommendation to the general House in plenary for consideration.”
“I therefore plead with each speaker to see his or her role today as a contribution to law-making and national development. We aim for good laws having known the consequences of bad ones.”
