The Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, has inaugurated the Yobe State Council on Nutrition 774 Initiative, marking a significant step toward strengthening nutrition outcomes and improving public health across the state.
The Council was inaugurated during a courtesy and advocacy visit by Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, who was in Yobe State to promote the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a federal programme designed to drive nutrition action at the grassroots level across all Local Government Areas.
Governor Buni reaffirmed Yobe State’s full alignment with the objectives of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, describing it as a critical driver for improved public health and sustainable development.
“It is my pleasure to humbly and proudly share with you that our administration in Yobe State launched a massive agricultural empowerment programme to boost food security, nutrition, and economic growth,” the Governor said.
“This has encouraged mass participation in agricultural production, creating a smooth pathway for collaboration and integration into the Nutrition 774 Initiative, thereby bringing Yobe State and the Federal Government on the same page.”
Governor Buni explained that the state government has integrated nutrition-sensitive interventions into key sectors, including health, education, social protection, and skills acquisition programmes under the Ministry of Women Affairs, as part of the state’s broader recovery and development agenda.
According to him, the Nutrition 774 Initiative reflects a bold and transformative vision aimed at making every Local Government Area a hub for community-driven nutrition action, while emphasizing strong coordination, multi-sectoral collaboration, and active grassroots participation.
He further highlighted the state’s partnerships with key development agencies such as UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Food Programme, the World Bank, UNDP, and others, noting that these collaborations have expanded community-based nutrition services, strengthened maternal and child health systems, and improved access to life-saving interventions for vulnerable populations.
The Governor also disclosed that Yobe State is investing in data systems and local capacity development to enhance planning, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in nutrition programming.
“The visit presents a valuable opportunity to deepen collaboration between the Federal and State Governments. We are eager to identify priority areas where federal technical and financial support can complement our ongoing efforts to deliver impactful interventions at the grassroots,” Governor Buni stated.
He stressed the need for a holistic and inclusive approach, involving traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities, to ensure collective ownership of the initiative.
“Our collective goal is to build a generation that is healthy, strong, and productive—capable of contributing meaningfully to our state and nation’s future. We are committed to building a future where every Yobe child can grow, learn, and thrive,” the Governor emphasized.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, commended Governor Buni for his notable achievements in healthcare delivery and agricultural development, describing them as essential foundations for improved nutrition outcomes.
“You have been a great silent achiever, especially in agriculture and the health sector, making us all proud. We hope these achievements will reflect positively in the implementation of the Nutrition 774 Initiative,” she said.
Mrs. Rochas-Anwukah expressed optimism that the programme would become a success story in Yobe State, contributing to a healthier population and enhanced socio-economic development across the state.
