Legislative Activism Chike Okafor Style 

By Kemi Yesufu 

 Nigeria has a hunger problem. In 2024, Nigeria ranked 110th out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 28.8/100. Further breakdown of the data from GHI shows that 18.0% of Nigeria’s estimated 200 million population are undernourished, while 31.5% of children under five are stunted. Again, 6.5% of children under five are wasted even as 10.7%. of children die due to a deadly mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments. Water and sanitation is also a huge problem especially in rural areas and among the urban poor.

 It therefore was a welcome development, when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas announced the creation of a Standing Committee on Nutrition and Food Security. Even more promising was the fact that the Speaker announced the selection of the member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, Rep. Chike Okafor as the chairman of a committee that could be described as a novel idea in the legislature at national and sub-national level. More interesting is that Okafor, unlike most of his colleagues in the Green Chamber, was sworn in as a member of the 10th House six months later and his appointment as chairman of a new committee came just as he was settling down. Despite the difficult circumstances, the lawmaker picked up the gauntlet and displayed dynamism, innovation and agility, which can be described as legislative activism.

It is worthy of note that Okafor immediately realised the need to galvanise State Houses of Assembly as much as he recognised that delivering on improved nutrition and combating food insecurity requires a multi-sectoral approach. The lawmaker’s experience as the chairman House Committee on Healthcare in the 8th Assembly came in handy as he reactivated his contacts in the health sector for his new role. This is as he created platforms for the Ministers of Agriculture, Health, Budget and Economic Planning to work with the committee in proffering solutions to hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. Also worthy of note is how effectively the Imo member works with donor agencies to deliver on the committee’s goals.

Okafor didn’t sit in his office to write ministers, lawmakers in the State Houses of Assembly and development partners, rather, he created platforms for stakeholder collaboration. In less than a year, the lawmaker led the committee in hosting pivotal meetings such as the 3-day retreat for Speakers of State Houses of Assembly held in May, the launch of the legislative network on Nutrition and Food Security which comprises of chairpersons and clerks of the committee on Nutrition and Food Security in State Houses of Assembly, as well the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee for the national legislative summit on nutrition and food security by Speaker Abbas. 

 At the inauguration of the LOC held at the National Assembly on Thursday, October 31,  Speaker Abbas stated that the proposed national summit on food security is urgently needed. He said: “The need for this National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security has never been more urgent. This organising committee is tasked with bringing the summit to fruition by coordinating efforts across ministries, states, and engaging both public and private sectors. Its mission is to create a platform for legislators, experts, and community leaders to collaborate, share insights, and drive collective action to address the root causes of our nutrition and food security challenges.

“This National Summit will provide a vital forum to raise awareness, pool resources, and establish actionable goals for the future. This summit will lay the groundwork for stronger policy frameworks, informed by the voices of those directly affected, and ensure that each legislative action is both grounded in local realities and aligned with international best practices”, the Speaker added.

On his part, Okafor stressed the importance of legislative interventions to combat hunger and its attendant consequences. He expressed optimism that the summit will provide a platform for stakeholders at national and subnational levels to discuss policies, programmes, and funding to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

He said: “Today marks a pivotal moment as we inaugurate the Local Organizing Committee for the National Summit on Nutrition and Food Security. This committee will serve as the cornerstone for coordinating our efforts, fostering partnerships, and ensuring the success of this crucial summit dedicated to addressing the urgent challenges facing our nation in the spheres of nutrition and food security. Our efforts through the National Legislative Network is to complement the numerous efforts being put in place by the Executive arm of government through the office of the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

 “The recent report unveiling a distressing 51% surge in severe malnutrition cases among children in the northern states is not merely a statistic; it embodies a humanitarian crisis that demands our immediate attention and concerted action. This rise in malnutrition underscores a systemic issue that pervades our nation’s nutritional landscape”. 

He added: “This summit will present a pivotal opportunity for us to assess the current state of nutrition and food security in Nigeria and craft comprehensive strategies and policies that will safeguard the well-being of our citizens, particularly our vulnerable children, from a legislative standpoint”. 

The media reported #EndHunger protests held across the country months back. The protests are a stark reminder of how desperate and sad the people have become.  As the countdown to the national summit on food security commences, the media must prepare to play its role by taking note to later challenge the national and subnational-level legislature and executive on policies, programmes and funding plans for reducing hunger, improving nutrition and food security. 

Kemi Yesufu who is the Media Adviser to Rep. Chike Okafor wrote in via: [email protected]