Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition Inaugurated in Calabar South

Iloke Egbe 

As part of the strategic policy thrust of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu the Governor to make Cross Riverians the healthiest people in Nigeria by the year 2027 and to address the challenges of food insecurity in the State, Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition has been Inaugurated in Calabar South LGA. 

Performing the inauguration at Anantigha the headquarters of the Council by the Vice Chairman Chief Executive Officer, Cross River State Planning Commission, Pastor Dr Bong Duke represented by the State chairman Food and Nutrition Committee and Permanent Secretary SPC Mr Kingsley Ndem Eyibio who informed that the Governor is a man of his word that is determined to positively change the policies and the living standard of Cross Riverians, hence the people oriented Programmes. That the Inauguration of the committee is to ensure that the policy is understood by the people and they participate by contributing their quarter in the implementation process in order to bring good governance more closer to the people who need it most. 

He acknowledged that the issue of food and nutrition has for long been handled in an uncoordinated manner thereby resulting to poor outputs that are not measurable or reported. Stating that the State committee on Food and Nutrition has the mandate to coordinate activities of implementing Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the State. The State committee also has the responsibility to build capacity of members, mobilize funds to support activities and carryout advocacy amongst stakeholders for their buy in.

In her acceptance speech, the Calabar South Council vice chairman and chairman of the LGA committee on Food and Nutrition, Lady Atim Martin expressed sense of excitement for the honour done her to be appointed chairman of the committee. Stating that she is most happy that the chairman of the Council is somebody she is sure of his support anytime on the committee work. 

According to the Mrs. Martin Calabar South is at the forefront of implementing His Excellency the Governor's policies and issue of Food and Nutrition is an area that needs strategic plan and well coordinated approach to ensure the target audience are not left behind, adding that she is please with the structure of the committee according to the organogram presented while thanking the State committee for a job welldone.

The Calabar South LGA Committee on Food and Nutrition has Lady Atim Martin as chairman. Other members are Mrs. Mbiet Isoni, Mrs Eme Archibong, Dr. Mrs. Bini Onen Ebri, Mrs. Arit Omini, Elder. Umoh Edet Etim, HRH. Chief. Engr. Ededem R. Henshaw, village head of Esiere Ebom, Mr. Ekpenyong Gregory Edet, also included are Mrs. Alice Ekanem Apeh, Mrs Abigail Uket Obono and Lydia Eleng Edege.

Highlights of the event was a PowerPoint presentation by the State Nutrition Officer Mrs Nkem Eyong Ubana, presentation of the State policy on Food and Nutrition and the State Strategic Plan to the chairman of LG committee on Food and Nutrition, vote of thanks by the LG Holga, questions and answers and group photograph. 

In attendance was the Calabar South LGA Holga, Mrs. Mbiet Isoni, the Chief of Esiere Ebom village, HRH Engr. Ededem R. Henshaw, Local Government Staff and members of the State Technical Working Committee on Food and Nutrition.