By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Nigeria has approved the establishment of the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian interventions across Nigeria.
The new Council will operate under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and is expected to provide strategic guidance for humanitarian programmes nationwide.
The Council was to guide the scope and operations of humanitarian activities and to be headed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu disclosed this on Thursday at a media briefing on sustainable response to address the humanitarian gap arising from the partial suspension of World Food Programme (WFP) operations in North-Eastern and North-Western parts of Nigeria.
Dr. Sununu noted that the Council would help transform humanitarian programmes from a federal initiative to a truly national effort, with improved oversight and implementation strategies. He added that the Council would also explore ways to engage local businesses and seek increased budgetary support for the ministry.
The Minister emphasized that the Council’s role includes ensuring better collaboration between the federal, state, and local governments to enhance humanitarian response and reduce poverty more effectively. He noted that this is part of the federal government’s broader effort to deliver meaningful impact and fulfill its core mandate.
The minister said the move was part of efforts of the federal government to make the right impact and deliver on its mandate.
