The Oyo State Government, through the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Misbaudeen Babatunde, has launched a four-year Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative is expected to combat malnutrition and hunger, particularly among children and women.
Babatunde, who inaugurated the initiative in Ibadan, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eradicating malnutrition across the state, as the state recorded child malnutrition at 34.5 per cent.
Represented by the Executive Assistant on Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Gafar Bello, Babatunde noted that the policy would serve as a “guiding framework for ensuring food and nutrition security at all levels, from households to local communities and the state.”
He acknowledged UNICEF’s contributions toward improving the welfare of vulnerable groups and emphasised the state’s commitment to sustainable solutions in tackling malnutrition.
As part of its commitment, the state has allocated N250m as its counterpart fund for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, a World Bank-supported initiative that commenced in March 2020.
An additional N100 million has been committed to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund project, bringing the total investment in nutrition-focused interventions to N350 million.
Babatunde stressed that the initiative aligns with the broader policies of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, stating, “The present administration, since 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.”
He also announced the development and launch of Agenda 2040, a 20-year Development Plan designed with input from both state and non-state actors.
According to him, “The plan is a roadmap for sustained economic and social development, including strategies to enhance food security and child welfare.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to child protection, Babatunde assured UNICEF that Oyo State would continue to uphold the Child Rights Law of 2006, which focuses on “child survival, protection, development, and participation.”
UNICEF’s representative, Boluwatife Ogunjimi, highlighted the alarming rate of child malnutrition in the state, revealing that “34.5 per cent of children suffer from stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition.”
She stressed that “malnutrition is a leading contributor to child mortality,” underscoring the importance of proper nutrition in reducing child deaths.
Permanent Secretary Tunde Ayanleke assured stakeholders that the strategic plan would be judiciously implemented to ensure the proper utilisation of all allocated resources.
“The government will ensure the efficient utilisation of human, financial, and material resources to achieve measurable results in reducing malnutrition,” he stated.