Ogun State government has acknowledged the support and unwavering commitment of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at ensuring optimal nutritional balance for the people, through effective partnerships that would reinforce the initiatives of the present administration.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Dada, stated this in Abeokuta, while declaring open the year 2023 Fourth Quarter Review Meeting on State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN).
Mrs. Dada revealed that the meeting would allow members of the Committee to reflect on achievements recorded since its constitution, find ways to address challenges and collectively explore innovative solutions, towards achieving the project objective.
According to her, “I am pleased to acknowledge the presence of esteemed stakeholders and particularly, UNICEF, which had contributed significantly to the advancement of all our goals on the promotion of healthy living among the citizenry. Your active participation and valuable insights are vital, as we collectively strategise and implement measures to enhance the nutritional well-being of our populace”.
“Today’s gathering holds special significance as we discuss pivotal matters concerning food and nutrition in our state. Our collective efforts are crucial in achieving a high rating in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Nutrition Score Card. This underscores the importance of our shared commitment to promoting health and nutrition within our communities”.
Mrs. Dada, who doubled as Chairman of the Committee, said Governor Dapo Abiodun led-administration was practicing zero-based budgeting, emphasising the need to set achievable targets and ensure clarity in the projects initiated, while desisting from budgeting for funds that would not be accessible.
Speaking, the immediate past Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Olugbenga Idowu, while giving an overview of the State Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016 version), noted that the document was of national significance and a guide towards effective actualisation of the project in the state, calling on members to ensure justification for their collective efforts.
Adding their voices, two standing committee members and representatives of the state-owned media houses, Adefowora Adesanwo from Ogun State Television and Mr. Wale Otayemi from Ogun Radio, expressed displeasure on people’s attitude towards assessing information, calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, as well as other committee members to leverage on the advantages of information dissemination through patronage, such as jingle production, television and radio appearances, among others.
