PRESS STATEMENT
28th July, 2025
MALNUTRITION AS A SILENT EMERGENCY: CEHRAWS COMMENDS ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE, URGES RIGHTS-BASED AND LAW-BACKED IMPLEMENTATION OF N-774
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) commends the proactive stance of the Government of Abia State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, for the robust and thoughtful address delivered at the launch of the Nutrition-774 (N-774) Initiative in Umuahia on July 23, 2025.
We particularly acknowledge the Governor’s courageous recognition of malnutrition as a threat to the physical and cognitive development of the population, especially children. This is a viewpoint that strongly aligns with Section 17(3)(d) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates the state to provide adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.
Moreover, the Governor’s pledge to allocate significant resources, including the dedication of 35% of the state’s annual budget to education and health since 2024, is laudable and worthy of emulation. This reflects an understanding that the right to health and education though non-justiciable in Nigeria, are socio-economic rights under international instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory, such as Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and Article 14 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).
COMMENDABLE ASPECTS
1. Holistic Understanding of Malnutrition as a Multi-Sectoral Issue:
CEHRAWS welcomes the multi-dimensional lens adopted by the Governor in linking malnutrition to poverty, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure, and policy inefficiencies. This broad-based strategy reflects sound governance ideals and is compatible with the obligations under the Child’s Rights Act (CRA), 2003, particularly Section 13.
2. Commitment to Local Government Participation:
The resolve to partner with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in rolling out the N-774 initiative at the grassroots is a strategic decision and aligns with the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.
3. Gender and Youth Inclusion in Governance:
CEHRAWS also applauds the Governor’s stance on inclusion, as depicted in his team of professionals, which comprises young male and female, including PWDs. This aligns with Section 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from discrimination.
CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE AND LEGAL OBSERVATIONS
✓. Lack of Explicit Commitment to Legal Enforcement Mechanisms:
There is a legal imperative to domesticate the N-774 initiative through enabling legislation or an Executive Order pursuant to Section 5(2) of the Constitution.
✓. Vague Assurances on Funding Transparency and Beneficiary Targeting:
CEHRAWS strongly recommends the immediate domestication of Freedom of Information Act, 2011 (FOIA) to enable the use of its provisions to facilitate implementation of the N-774 initiative in Nigeria and Abia in particular.
✓. Absence of a Human Rights-Based Approach to Food Security:
We urge alignment with the National Food and Nutrition Policy (2021–2025) and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
✓. Insecurity and Farmer Protection:
CEHRAWS urges operationalisation of state-level vigilance corps under Community Safety Corps Law or similar legal instruments.
✓. No Independent Monitoring Mechanism or Civil Society Involvement:
We call for inclusion of rights-based organisations in the State N-774 Steering Committee.
CONCLUSION AND CALL TO ACTION
In summary, CEHRAWS recognizes the Governor’s bold step in placing malnutrition at the centre of the development agenda. However, to transform this speech from noble intention to sustainable change, a legal, rights-based, transparent, and enforceable implementation structure must be swiftly adopted.
We therefore:
✓. Call on the Abia State House of Assembly to initiate enabling legislation on nutrition and household food security;
✓. Urge the Governor to issue a State Executive Directive mandating open governance protocols in the N-774 implementation;
✓. Recommend the creation of community-based nutrition watchdog committees;
✓. Demand robust protection for farmers under the law;
✓. Advocate for the reform and enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act (CRA) already domesticated in Abia.
At CEHRAWS, we believe malnutrition is a violation of dignity and a threat to national security, and we remain committed to supporting all lawful, people-centered interventions aimed at eradicating this silent emergency.
Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
For CEHRAWS
Email: cehraws@gmail.com | Tel: +234-803-5529-865
Facebook: @cehraws
