Transformation of Food Systems is to Ensure Food Security, Nutrition, Health and Environmental Sustainability-Governor Otu

Iloke, Egbe 

The Cross River State Government has restate it commitment to the transformation of Food Systems to ensure food security, nutrition, health and environmental sustainability as a significant concern of Government, researchers and stakeholders across countries of the world.

The Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu represented by the State Deputy Governor, His Excellency RT. Hon. Peter Odey made the assertion while addressing the South South and South East States during a 2 day review meeting held at metropolitan Hotel Calabar. 

The Governor expressed delight to play host to States in the 2 geopolitical zones, while affirming that food systems actions affect people's health, nutritional status, livelihoods, environment, economy, climate and other social activities that make up a society. 

In his words, in CRS since the inception of the administration we have taken frantic efforts to address food system actions across implementing sectors by addressing basic constraints leading to food availability, accessibility, affordability and desirability. Adding that, we are intentional about key objectives of this administration which aims to make Cross River State a State with the healthiest citizens in Nigeria by the year 2027. That institutional framework and policies are currently working to review regulations which aim to guide the process.

According to the Governor, the administration is aware of the prevailing adverse statistics on food and nutrition indicators and is more determined to reduce those ugly indices to the barest minimum. Speaking further, he affirmed the openness of the State to support collaborations from partners and other States in the zones, expressing his believe in the State team work which will improve efficiency of food systems while creating the intended impacts across the zones. 

He also expressed the hope given the caliber of persons in attendance, the meeting will inform better strategies and innovations that will shape conversations around food systems transformation and transitions that are sustainable for the betterment of our people.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer CRS Planning Commission, Dr Bong Duke informed that SPC is please to have delegates in attendance and for the safe travels. Stating that SPC is a parastatal with the mandate to formulate development plans as well as coordinate sectoral policies for the State and mandated to coordinate food systems actions in the State while ensuring that other food systems actors implement actions that contribute to the transformation agenda in a timely and efficient jointly and collaboratively.

According to the VC CEO in Cross River State efforts are ongoing to transform the State food systems particularly since the takeoff of Prince Bassey Edet Otu led administration has brought innovations and strategic ideas poised to reduce food and nutrition insecurity, create access to safe and nutrition foods in an environment ally sustainable manner that will improve the health and wealth of Cross River.

Some of the topics discussed during the event were: Review of food systems transformation implementation strategies, meeting objectives and expectations by the SPC Permanent Secretary Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio, implementation progress by each State, financing and resource mobilization for food systems transformation and interactive session to draft next steps for implementation and coordination.

Some of the guest speakers were Dr. S. O. Faniran, national convenor of food systems in Nigeria, Prof. Toyosi Idowu, Joyce Akpata and Nkem Eyong Ubana from SPC.

Dignitaries in attendance were from all the States in the South South and South East zones in Nigeria and featured goodwill messages from stakeholders across the line MDAs, group photograph and a communique from the meeting.