CR/State Committee on Food and Nutrition Hold's First Quarter Meeting, Present Field Report.

Iloke Egbe - SPC 

The Cross River State Committee on Food and Nutrition has held it's first quarter 2025 meeting in accordance with the provisions of the State policy on Food and Nutrition. 

The meeting which was at the instance of the State Chairman Mr Kingsley Ndem Eyibio was an aspect of the policy design for the committee to reflect on their performance which enhance adjustment where necessary. 

Declaring the meeting open Mr Eyibio expressed satisfaction on the attendance during the meeting while emphasizing the essence of the meeting which is assessed Performance of members, share ideas and lessons learnt. He highlighted on the structure of the committee from Federal, State, Local Government and the ward.

According to him the State Planning Commission has the mandate to coordinate nutrition programmes, mobilize resources for implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies, carryout advocacy amongst key stakeholders and also carryout monitoring and evaluation for proper reporting to the Nigeria Governor's forum and national Council on nutrition and use the occasion to welcome members of the committee.

Highlights of the meeting was a review of the Food systems work plan to ascertain implementation by MDAs by the State Nutrition Officer Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana and PowerPoint presentation of reports from MDAs. Questions and answers and ratification of resolutions from last meeting. 

Some of the MDAs that presented their reports include the State Planning Commission, CRS Community and Social Development Agency, CR Agric Development Project, Ministry of Health. Others are Ministry of Water Resources, CRS Rural Water and Sanitation Agency RUWATSSA, Ministry of Agric and Irrigation Development, CRS Primary Health Care Development Agency. Included are Ministry of Youth Development, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education. 

In attendance was the special adviser to the Governor on cassava Venerable Referend Aqua, Prof. Mrs. Margaret Agiang, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment Mrs. Rosemary Onah, the project coordinator CR ADP Mr Emogor Bassey, Desk Officers from all the line MDAs. 

In a related development, the Cross River State Government has Inaugurated 9 additional Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition, with this development, CR State is the first State in Nigeria to Inaugurate LGCFN in all LGA in the State. 

Inaugurating the committee at the State Planning Commission, SPC building New Secretariat Complex Calabar. The VC CEO of SPC Pastor Dr Bong Duke reiterated the desire of the State Governor His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu to make Cross Riverians the healthiest people in Nigeria by the year 2027. He charged the committee chairmen to ensure that the good intentions of the Governor is implemented for the benefit of the people, adding that no Local Government should be the reason why the objectives are achieved. Adding that the Governor also wants to see the Local Government Areas that will help him achieve the objectives of his administration.

According to Mr Duke, CRSG has the best policies and structures on Food and Nutrition, has the highest number of MDAs with nutrition with nutrition budget and first in Nigeria to Inaugurate LGCFN in all the Local Government Areas of the State.

He acknowledged that with the abundant resources God has endowed the State with, Cross River State has nothing to do with Malnutrition and poverty.

Highlights of the meeting was the Inauguration of the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition, presentation of the State policy on Food and Nutrition and the State action plan to each of the local governments vice Chairmen which by the State policy are automatic chairmen of the Committee in their various LGAs. 

The event also featured opening remarks by the State chairman of  Food and Nutrition committee Mr Kingsley Ndem Eyibio, presentation of the national Nutrition policy, organogram and reporting format by the State Nutrition Officer Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana, questions and answers and group photograph. 

The vice Chairmen and Local Government Areas Inaugurated are Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung, Vice Chairman Bekwarra. Hon Maurice Ndome, Ikom LGA, Hon. Obi Akan Law Boki LGA, Hon. Ekuma Ngwu, Biase LGA, Hon. Innocent Asam Amba Etung LGA, Hon. Ehie, Leonard Ogwu Obubra LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, Ogoja LGA, Hon. Katama Emilia Abang Akamkpa LGA and Hon. Rhoda Irung Ashong Obudu LGA. Also included was Hon. Glory Awowoh, Obanliku LGA.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Local Government head's of Administration, Council Secretaries, Local Government supervisors and members of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition. Also in attendance was the Commission member in charge of Development Assistant coordination Prof. Amake, E. G.