Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu (right), with the Country Director of World Food Programme (WFP), Mr David Stevesson NAN

Zero Hunger: WFP Pledges to Commit $2.5bn to Fight Hunger in 9ja

Says the World Food Programme is committed to spending such some of money to fight hunger in the next five years in across the country.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has assured to commit 2.5 billion dollars to strengthen and support Nigeria’s efforts towards sustainable food security and zero hunger across the country.

Mr David Stevesson, WFP Country Director, revealed this when he led the UN agency’s team to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

“We talked about zero hunger, we talked about humanitarian hubs in every local government area in the country, we talked about the world food programme.

”The potential to support those hubs through buying food locally and assisting the needy with cash transfers and food.

“Let me announce here that the World Food Programme is committed to spending 2.5 billion dollars to fight hunger in the next five years in Nigeria,” he asserted.

Stevesson affirmed that the agency had already captured 2.1 million beneficiaries under the programme with the hope of maintaining a working relationship with the ministry to achieve the target.

Consequently, he announced the agency’s readiness to support the Federal Government’s determination to address humanitarian crises and poverty issues, especially as it related to food security.

”We are excited by President Bola Tinubu’s commitment and drive to eradicate poverty and reduce humanitarian crises in Nigeria.

”The new energy which the Minister is bringing into space gives us hope that we will accomplish a lot together,” he stated.

The WFP Country Director while congratulating the minister on her appointment, expressed optimism on the ability of the minister to deliver on the mandate.

Also, Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, hinted that the intervention would go a long way to address some of the humanitarian challenges affecting the country.

In her view, “Zero Hunger” is one of the projects the Ministry has initiated as part of poverty and humanitarian response efforts.

”We, therefore, appeal to the WFP to key into it by working with the Ministry to achieve results.

”Because, this intervention will go a long way to address some of the biggest challenges the country is facing,” she reiterated.