The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to boost funding for nutrition interventions in the 2025 FCTA budget......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
This comes as a result of the successes recorded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Capacity Development for Nutrition Improvement Project (CADNIP) and its open defecation initiative in the FCT.
During a visit from JICA officials in Abuja, Wike expressed his admiration for the impact of the projects and pledged to allocate more funds for nutrition interventions.
He emphasized, however, the need for transparency and accountability in how the funds are utilized, noting that improved nutrition is crucial for achieving progress in sectors like health, education, and agriculture.
“If we could add more funds, it will go a long way in improving the standard of service delivery in major sectors,” Wike remarked.
In addition to nutrition, Wike requested JICA’s continued support in improving the teaching of mathematics and science subjects in FCT public schools, underlining his commitment to improving education in the capital.
Mr. Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary for Economic Planning and Public-Private Partnerships, disclosed that Wike has approved the establishment of a Nutrition Department within the FCTA.
This department will serve as the focal point for nutrition projects, a move that will significantly enhance the implementation of JICA’s nutrition programme and other similar initiatives.
The head of the FCT Civil Service, Dr. Udo Atang, explained that this new department will be integrated into the FCTA’s structure to ensure better coordination and implementation of nutrition programmes across the territory. The multisectoral approval is expected to streamline operations and improve overall results.
Earlier, Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, praised the FCT’s success in implementing JICA projects on nutrition and open defecation. He called for further collaboration to ensure these impactful projects benefit even more communities.
Chief Project Advisor for CADNIP, Mr. Sonoyama Hideki, shared data on the progress made under the project, which targets 11,000 pregnant women, children under two, and mothers. Since its launch in 2019, CADNIP has helped improve dietary diversity and meal frequency for both mothers and children in rural areas. The project’s success has led to a significant increase in key nutritional indicators, including a rise in minimum dietary diversity for children from 31.8% to 49.8%.
This increased focus on nutrition, combined with stronger multi-sectoral cooperation, promises to greatly enhance the well-being of residents across the FCT.