The Imo State government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has reaffirmed its commitment to improve the quality of life of citizens through an enhanced healthcare delivery system, qualitative education and food security.
They stressed that these represent the cardinal benchmark for developing nations across the globe.
This was made known when the governor, Hope Uzodimma, received a delegation of Global Partners—UNICEF, Food and Agricultural Organization, FHI—360, and Result for Development, among others—working on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria at the New Exco Chambers, Government House Owerri.
The governor who expressed joy that Imo was among the focal states for the intervention programmes and projects, noted that the programmes align with his administration’s core values of “providing sustainable development, promoting quality living and emancipating our people.”
He disclosed that his administration established a University of Agriculture as part of its business template to address food security, with the whole idea “to promote practical agriculture, boost food production for food sufficiency and export for foreign currency earning.”
“Today, willing partners like the FAO, UNICEF, FHI-360, Result for Development and Federal Ministry of Health have volunteered to partner the State,” a joyous Governor Uzodimma said, assuring that “Imo is willing, able and committed to collaborate with these partners.”
He thanked the team leader, Hon. Chike Okafor, who is also the House Committee chairman on Nutrition and National Food Security and a member representing Okigwe South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, for recommending that Imo State benefit from the programme/projects.
Governor Uzodimma also urged the team to feel free to discuss all relevant aspects of their agenda and programme with the partnering ministries – Agriculture and Food Security, Education (Both Primary and Tertiary), Budget and Planning and Health – whose commissioners were in attendance at the meeting.
In his comment, Hon. Okafor disclosed that the funding partners and donor agencies on food and nutrition had a mandate to support national and subnational governments in improving nutrition and making food available for the people.
He said the groups were in Imo to commence their programmes and projects, pointing out that the state is strategic, given Governor Uzodimma’s position as chairman of the Progressives Governors and the South East Governors’ Forum.
Okafor commended the governor for the holistic approach to development across the state and noted the untiring efforts of the governor’s team to make the visit fruitful.
He appreciated the agencies for their commitments in Imo State, especially the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), a subset of the United Nations that has already started a programme in Imo State that runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars. He expressed optimism that the programme will have a greater impact on the people.
Speaking, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chilewe, commended the Imo State Governor for the commitments made to promote the well-being and development of children and for the intervention in restoring peace in the state.
She appealed to the governor to take seriously the improvement on the nutrition of the citizenry in Imo State, particularly that of children and mothers, and used the opportunity of the meeting to appeal for support for their summit coming up in July.
Dr. Nuhu Kilishi, National Programme Manager/Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed that stakeholders will engage in selecting one School to establish Junior Farmers Club where the students will be trained and equipped in various aspects of agriculture.
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