The National Economic Council (NEC), yesterday, reconvened with extensive deliberation on the scourge of malnutrition in the country though ignored the controversial subjects of local government autonomy, state police, and the allegation that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Boko Haram.
Chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, NEC, whose composition is made up of governors, implored governors, ministers, local government chairmen and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to take urgent and decisive action against the scourge of malnutrition in the country.
According to Shettima, the consequences of malnutrition transcend the health sector, forming the foundation of the calamities that limit productivity, learning and the nation’s growth.
Shettima stated this when he officially launched the Nutrition 774 Initiative at the 148th Meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Beyond just numbers, the Vice President said the stark statistics indicating that about 40 per cent of Nigerian children under five are suffering from stunted growth, eight per cent wasting, and 27 per cent underweight – represent the faces of children whose futures are at risk even before beginning their life’s journey.
This, he noted, is the reason the Nutrition 774 Initiative is a turning point, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the initiative as a national priority in the fulfilment of his promise to Nigerians.
The NEC, which met at the Council Chamber of the State House, was expected to take a number of decisions including the issue of state police, having received submissions from all states, which was expected to happen in January 2025, but many of the urgent burning matters of state were not on the agenda.
On behalf of the 36 states, Governor AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State pledged the commitment and support of state governments for the programme. The local government chairmen and the representatives of other partners, present at the launch, pledged their commitment and support.
Meanwhile, governors and other NEC members commended the Economic Management Team (EMT) priorities for 2025. This followed a presentation of the 2025 EMT priorities by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
Earlier, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had resolved to work closely with their respective state Houses of Assembly to ensure that the interests of the states are well represented in the ongoing constitutional amendment process. The governors made this commitment during an engagement with members of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) at the NGF meeting held on Wednesday night in Abuja.
This resolution was outlined in a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara, AbdulRazaq. It reads: “The forum engaged with COSLON to discuss key issues, including strengthening synergy between COSLON and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and ensuring sub-national perspectives are well-represented in the ongoing constitutional review process.
“COLSON also informed the forum of its partnership with the Development Finance Institution (DFI) to digitise the State Houses of Assembly, aimed at enhancing legislative efficiency and transparency. Governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with state legislatures to advance governance reforms and ensure effective policy implementation at the sub-national level.”
At its January 17 meeting with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, the NGF endorsed a revised Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula.
The proposed formula allocates 50 per cent based on equality, 30 per cent on derivation, and 20 per cent on population.
On Wednesday, the Federal Government inaugurated 50 newly appointed Tax Appeal Commissioners to strengthen economic reforms and revenue generation.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, underscored the commissioners’ vital role in enhancing revenue collection.
He highlighted the importance of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) in ensuring fair tax dispute resolution, fostering investment, and promoting a business-friendly environment.
