FCTA, UNICEF partner with Area Councils to combat malnutrition

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched a capacity-building initiative for officials across all six FCT Area Councils to strengthen local leadership, food security, and nutrition outcomes.

The effort was highlighted during the opening of the Area Council Committee on Food and Nutrition 2nd quarter meeting and capacity building workshop.

The event aimed to equip grassroots stakeholders with practical skills to tackle malnutrition, improve inter-sectoral coordination, and ensure efficient resource allocation.

Speaking on behalf of the Mandate Secretary for the Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership (EPRGPPP) Secretariat, Arc. Ubokutom Nyah, Acting Permanent Secretary, Uba Bala emphasized that nutrition security is central to human capital development and economic growth.

Nyah commended UNICEF for its technical and financial support while urging Area Council leaders and nutrition focal officers to take direct ownership of local programs, noting that policy impacts are measured within households and local communities.

Echoing this focus, Dr. Dan Gadzama, Acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board (FCT-PHCB), highlighted that while nutrition policies are framed at national and territorial levels, implementation happens at the council level—making local leadership essential to improving health outcomes for children and pregnant women.

Princess Celina Gaza-Oluwafemi, Director of the Food and Nutrition Department at the EPRGPPP Secretariat, outlined the practical focus of the training sessions.

“Equipping participants with insights on the causes and burdens of malnutrition, priority interventions, and early childhood care during the critical first 1,000 days of life.

“Enhancing knowledge on monitoring, evaluation, reporting, multisectoral coordination, and leveraging mechanisms like the Child Nutrition Fund.

“Practical Action Plans – Guiding council teams to convert policy frameworks into tailored work plans for their respective communities,” the director stated.

Representing the UNICEF-US Department of State MCH Umbrella Grant project, Dr. Chizoba Steve-Edemba praised the commitment of the participating Area Council Vice Chairmen, who pledged to prioritize nutrition funding and policy execution.

To support transparency and resource integrity, the meeting concluded with the Mandate Secretary officially inaugurating an Aid Diversion Committee for each of the six Area Councils.

It was gathered that these committees are tasked with safeguarding nutrition commodities and ensuring aid reaches intended beneficiaries across the Territory.