Biase Vice Chairman seeks national support for ‘Nourish Biase Initiative’
By Frank Ulom
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – The Honourable Vice Chairman of Biase Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, on Friday, 18 July 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the National Planning Commission (NPC) Unit in Abuja to discuss possible areas of synergy and partnership for the forthcoming Nourish Biase Initiative.
The initiative, to be organised by the Biase Food and Nutrition Committee, aims to accelerate food security and improve nutrition in local communities.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Ngwu explained that the programme targets vulnerable populations, including children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers, and smallholder farming households.
“The programme is designed to address the escalating food insecurity and malnutrition crisis in Biase. Our goal is to implement targeted interventions that directly improve nutrition and food production at the grassroots,” he said.
Key Focus Areas of the Initiative
According to the Vice Chairman, the programme will promote school gardens in public schools across Biase LGA, mentor and train emerging farmers, identify opportunities for collaboration within the local food system, scale up nutrition-sensitive agriculture and education programmes, and enhance capacity for local implementation.
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The Nourish Biase Initiative will also advocate community-based food processing and preservation facilities, strengthen smallholder farmers with vegetable and gardening inputs, and promote climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Commission Commends Biase LGA Efforts
In her response, Mrs Christiana Yunanah, Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition at the NPC, commended the Biase Council for its proactive steps towards food security.
She assured the Commission’s support for the initiative and pledged to connect Biase LGA with relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to aid its implementation.
“Addressing malnutrition is critical, and Biase LGA’s approach is commendable. We will work together to ensure this initiative succeeds,” she noted.
Mrs Yunanah also presented educational materials to the Vice Chairman and called for sustained collaboration with the Commission.
Other notable staff members present at the meeting were Mr Likuna Julius and Mrs Felicia Enun. The meeting ended with a group photograph.
