We are Committed to Improve Nutrition Status in Cross River State - HoS

By Iloke, Egbe

The Head of Service of Cross River State Dr. Innocent Eteng has asserted that the State is ready to support improve Nutrition and to complete the weeks to Make 6 months Status for the State maternity leave programme. He stated this when he granted audience to the state steering committee advocacy meeting to his office, new Secretariat Complex Calabar.

The Head of Service said the six months maternity leave is already concluded left with legislation to give it the legal framework to sustain it implementation while assuring that the House Committee on health is to handle that aspect.  According to the Head of Service, his office is open, accessible and ready to support the course of nutrition programmes which he described as multi-sectoral adding that the inherite benefits has made it an area you cannot ignore.

Speaking further the Head of Service affirmed that the Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is strongly committed to the welfare of Cross Riverians including the vulnerable groups in the State. That the State has taken measures to ensure that the Civil Service rule is revived with special attention given to food and nutrition and rendered his appreciation for the visit. 

Earlier, the Executive secretary of Civil Society scaling up nutrition in Nigeria CS-SUNN Nigeria Mr. Okoronkwo Sunday said out of every 100 children 22 of them will not get the proper development due to the drop in breastfeeding. That proactive measures should be taken as parents to revert to status. He called on the Head of Service to champion the cause of    6 months exclusive breast feeding and maternity leave with pay for nursing mothers. Mr Okonkwo expressed excitement on the work already done by the State on maternal leave and nutrition with many MDAs now having nutrition budget in their departments. 

He said Cross River State has made them proud with the support they have given to nutrition programmes. The visit featured interactions and a vote of thanks by the Permanent Secretary State Planning Commission Mrs. Mbong Atu Ausaji and group photograph. Dignitaries that graced the visit includes SA to the Governor on Gender Mainstreaming, Dr Mrs. Inyang Asibong, the CS-SUNN State Coordinator Mrs. Nkem Eyong Ubana