More Collaborations will Strengthen our Partnership towards achieving Government objectives-Bong Duke

*

More Collaborations will Strengthen our Partnership towards achieving Government objectives-Bong Duke*

Iloke, Egbe 

The Vice Chairman, Chief Executive Officer CRS Planning Commission Dr Bong Duke has called for more Collaborations among Ministries, Departments and Agencies supporting implementation of Nutrition programmes in the State. The Vice Chairman disclosed this while welcoming partners to the State committee on Food and Nutrition/ Food Systems Committee Quarterly Meeting held at SPC Conference Hall, New Secretariat Complex Calabar.

He said for the interest of the State and Nigeria in general let every MDA working in various nutrition sectors collaborate effectively.

He further stressed the need to  present their reports both in hard and soft copy.

He encouraged partners to be sensitive about the interest of the Governor which is to make Cross Riverians the healthiest people in Nigeria by 2027, adding that, the Governor is very supportive on anything that has to do with nutrition. 

According to the VC CEO the Governor is not happy with the State data which indicates high percentage of stunting and poor nutritional status and has vowed to reverse it. That with proper collaborations the Hydra headed Malnutrition and food insecurity can be  addressed.

He used the occasion to commend MDAs and partners for their commitment while informing that the Commission is willing to support line MDAs to achieve their goals and objectives for the benefit of all in the State.

He also solicited the support of partners in the meeting to assist in funding of the Nutrition activities in the 2025  Annual Operational Plan  as the State Government cannot do it all.

Contributing, Venerable Augustine Aqua appreciated what the MDAs and partners including SPC are doing to promote nutrition concepts as a culture for good living and further informed that for 2025 the State Government has provided 500 hectares of land for the cultivation of cassava for a start, while 5000 hectares is earmarked for cultivation in 2026 on clusters format.

Highlights of the review meeting was presentation of reports by implementing MDAs and partners, breakout session for indepth analysis, questions and answers session and adoption of the meeting report. MDAs and partners that were present and Presented their reports were State Ministry of Health, CRS Primary Healthcare Development Agency, CRS Agric Development Project, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, CRS Budget Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs, FADAMA, representative from World Health Organization, Youth Network, USAID, representative from Bio-Fortified Food, The SEED Council of Nigeria, others were from the University community and other members of the SCFN. Closing remarks by the chairman State Committee on Nutrition and SPC Permanent Secretary Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio.