The federal government has inaugurated a 12-member steering committee for the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs/Poverty Reduction to ensure the successful planning and hosting of the maiden national council meeting.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by Iliya Isyaku, director of information and public relations, ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction.

Mr Isyaku said the minister of state for humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, Yusuf Sununu, conducted the inauguration ceremony in Abuja.

The committee is chaired by Yakubu Kofarmata, permanent secretary in the ministry, while Onyiloye Meshack, director, planning, research and statistics, is the secretary.

According to Mr Sununu, the purpose of constituting the committee is to provide strategic oversight, guidance and coordination for the successful planning and hosting of the maiden national council meeting.

He said the committee would also ensure that the outcomes of the meeting aligned with national priorities.

According to him, national priorities such as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which places human welfare, dignity and resilience at the core of our National Development Strategy.

He added that the council, when finally in place, would set a course of action capable of addressing the complexity of Nigeria’s challenges in the humanitarian sector.

He said such challenges could be insecurity, climate-related displacement, economic shocks, or deep-rooted structural poverty.

The minister added that members of the committee were carefully chosen based on their experience and track records and congratulated them on their appointment.

He urged them to draw on their experiences in delivering a successful inaugural national council meeting.

(NAN)