By Nworisa Michael
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Manassah Jatau, has inaugurated a 19-member State Taskforce Committee to address the misuse, diversion and theft of nutrition commodities across the state.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Deputy Governor’s Conference Hall on Tuesday, Jatau said the move reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the distribution of life-saving nutrition supplies, particularly for vulnerable children.
He said the committee was constituted on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who, according to him, remains committed to good governance and effective service delivery.
Since assuming office on May 29, 2019, Jatau noted that the administration has prioritised security, health, education and agriculture, recording significant progress in the health sector. However, he acknowledged that malnutrition remains a major concern in the North-East region, including Gombe.
He referenced the launch of the Nutrition 774 (N-774) initiative by Vice President Kashim Shettima on July 8, 2025, aimed at combating malnutrition across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Describing nutrition as essential to healthy growth and development, Jatau warned that malnutrition contributes to weakness, stunted growth and developmental challenges among children.
He outlined several steps taken by the state government, including the implementation of the Gombe State Food and Nutrition Policy and Multisectoral Plan of Action (2023–2027), timely release of counterpart funding for the procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), establishment of Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres in six local government areas, and the rollout of the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) programme in seven LGAs.
Other interventions include the introduction of GOHEALTH and the development of “GARIN INUWA” by Dr Aishatu Maigari, now Commissioner for Education, which has received approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Jatau said the newly inaugurated taskforce is mandated to identify, prevent and sanction individuals involved in the diversion, hoarding, destruction or theft of nutrition commodities. He directed the committee to co-opt one woman from each of the three senatorial districts to ensure broader representation.
The committee’s responsibilities include conducting monthly monitoring visits to health facilities and storage centres, investigating cases of diversion, collaborating with security agencies and development partners, mapping risks within RUTF supply chains, deploying tracking tools such as barcode scanning and digital reporting systems, carrying out public sensitisation campaigns and monitoring black-market activities.
“I am unable to congratulate you because the task is yet to be accomplished. You must justify the confidence reposed in you,” Jatau told members.
In his acceptance speech, the Co-Chairman and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Salisu Alkali, assured the government of the committee’s commitment to protecting investments in child nutrition.
Also speaking, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, Bauchi Field Office of the UNICEF, commended Gombe for being the first state in the North-East to establish such a taskforce. She disclosed that UNICEF and the state government have invested substantial resources in improving child nutrition and stressed that RUTF is a therapeutic product used to treat severe acute malnutrition.
Rafique called on all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to strengthen oversight mechanisms and close gaps in the distribution system.
The committee draws members from key ministries, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, religious and traditional institutions, media organisations and transport unions, reflecting a multi-sectoral approach to tackling malnutrition and safeguarding nutrition commodities in the state.
