The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science Technology, Mr. Bitru Nabasu, has advocated for the entrenchment of nutrition security ethics among federal workers
so they can contribute productively to national development.
Mr. Nabasu gave the charge while declaring open a one-day sensitization workshop on “Health Benefits of Good Nutrition” for the staff of the Ministry during the week in Abuja.
According to the Permanent Secretary, “over the last decades the government has put in place various incentives, food value chain and policies to tackle the vast issues surrounding food insecurity in the country” adding that “it has become imperative to shift our thinking from the concept of food security to the concept of nutrition security”.
The workshop according to him, was organized to promote awareness on health benefits of good nutrition and healthy dietary practices that will build a strong productive workforce.
According to the Permanent Secretary, “over the last decades the Federal government has put in place various incentives, food value chain and policies to tackle the vast issues surrounding food insecurity in Nigeria” adding that “it has become imperative to shift our thinking from the concept of food security to the concept of nutrition security”.
He noted that the extent of hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria are of public health concern and called for proper information on the consumption of food that provide a diversified, balanced and healthy diet.
Nabasu urged the participants to make the best use of the opportunity and +utilize the knowledge gained at the workshop to promote habits that would boost their health as well as their productivity.
Earlier, the Director of Health and Biomedical Science in the Ministry, Dr, Manasseh Gwaza said that the workshop is organized to sensitize staff of the Ministry on the importance and benefits of adequate nutrition to health, improved well-being and productivity.
According to Dr. Gwoza “health and wellbeing are two sides of the same coin which means both are very necessary to live a healthy and happy life and build a strong and productive workforce” adding that “without proper health and good nutrition, we cannot have a feeling of physical, mental and social wellbeing”
He called for the creation and promotion of an environment that emphasizes healthy nutritious diet and physical exercises.