CR. Youth Involvement is Very Strong in Nutrition Demography - Bong Duke

Iloke, Egbe - SPC 

The Chairman Chief Executive Officer Cross River State Planning Commission Pastor Dr Bong Duke, has disclosed that in Cross River, Youth are deeply involved in nutrition demography on the recognition that they are the future of the State. He made the assertion when he granted audience to youth wing of Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria CS-SUNN in his office, SPC building New Secretariat Complex Calabar. 

He acknowledged that youth present a fresh perspective and vibrant energy with the spirit of innovation and creativity which is very critical for the sustainability of Government policies and programmes. That Youth are also very influential at the community level which helps to drive behavioural change amongst their bracket.

He said to address youth specific issues, it is better to use the youth to talk to the Youth. He informed that the Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is very proactive in his policies by  including the youth both in Agriculture, ICT, Small and Medium Enterprise and Education which can be seen in many Ministries like Ministry of Youth Development, Agriculture, Women Affairs, Health, Commence etc and the establishment of a full flesh University of Education all aimed at creating more space for the youths to be well integrated in the State scheme of things. 

He used the occasion to commend the youth wing of CS-SUNN for volunteering to be mentored on nutrition and it's related activities, adding that the Government doesn't want to leave any youth behind. 

Earlier the Coordinator of CS-SUNN Youth wing in the State Mr. James Agbor informed that 60 percent of Nigerian population is made up of Youth and the body has done much in terms of dialogue with stakeholders at different levels because many of the Youth segments don't know much about nutrition. 

Adding her voice, Lilian Okafor expressed her appreciation to the State for her leadership in the nutrition space through policies in other to reduce Malnutrition, and the inclusion of CS-SUNN in the State Committee on Food and Nutrition. She commended the Government for the 6 months extended pay maternity leave for breastfeeding mothers and informed that CS-SUNN is an international organization that picked Nigeria as a model, that in Nigeria Cross River and Bauchi States have made a lot of positive difference while soliciting for strong collaboration with CS-SUNN. 

The visit featured presentation by CS-SUNN group, questions and answers and group photograph.

In attendance were members of the State committee on Food and Nutrition including some members of the State Technical Working Group on Food and Nutrition.