Oyo State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund, launched a four-year Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition on Tuesday to tackle malnutrition and hunger among children and women in the state.
The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Misbaudeen Babatunde, launched the project in Ibadan.
Babatunde, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the State Government was committed to eradicating malnutrition within its borders.
Represented by the Executive Assistance on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Gafar Bello, Babatunde said the food and nutrition policy would guide the state in addressing food and nutrition security challenges at all levels, from individuals and households to communities, local governments, and the state itself.
He appreciated UNICEF’s contributions to the development of children, women, and other vulnerable groups in the state.
Babatunde said that the government allocated N250 million as its counterpart fund for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria project, a World Bank initiative that commenced in March 2020.
“Additionally, the government paid N100 million as its counterpart fund for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund project.
“In total, the state government’s contribution is N350,000,000 in terms of money as counterpart contribution to the Nutrition Fund to address all forms of malnutrition,” he said.
The commissioner explained further that the document was expected to serve as a road map, adding that it aligns with the policies of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
He decried the current stunted rate of malnourished children, adding that “it’s expected that if the policy is well implemented, it will reduce the percentage.
“The present administration, since the assumption, has been working assiduously for enhanced economic growth, employment, and wealth creation, as well as creating an enabling environment for women and children in the state.”
Babatunde also informed the gathering that a home-grown 20-year Development Plan termed Agenda 2040 would be a product of inputs and perspectives of various shades of opinions, including State and non-state actors, has been developed and launched in the State.
He assured UNICEF that the government would not relent in its efforts to protect the children in line with Child Rights Law 2006, which is geared towards protection, development, survival, and participation.
Also speaking, the representative of UNICEF, Boluwatife Ogunjimi, said the stunted rate in the state was about 34.5 per cent.
She disclosed that child mortality is attributable to malnutrition, stressing that good nutrition plays a leading role in averting the deaths of children.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Tunde Ayanleke, assured UNICEF that various activities in the plan document would be judiciously implemented so that human, materials, and financial resources committed to the eventual production of the document yield positive results.
