The Ogun State Government has begun the process of establishing the Steering Committee for the National Community Food Bank Programme (NCFBP) which will be inaugurated in the South-West region of the nation on July 25 in the state.
The National Community Food Bank Programme, a multi-sectoral initiative of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is aimed at enhancing access to locally produced nutritious food to vulnerable households and mitigating the impact of hunger throughout the country.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker and Chairman of the Steering Committee explained that the programme was a strategic decision to address malnutrition which is becoming a threat particularly to children and nursing mothers.
The programme would be aimed at achieving healthy growth, appropriate brain development and nutrition outcome of children between the age range of 0-6 years and also for the pregnant and lactating mothers at the grassroot level, she said.
Dr. Coker advised the committee members to perform their duties diligently, saying success of the programme will depend on proper implementation, and their efforts of all the stakeholders.
The project will go a long way to further enable the food and nutrition support system of the state of Ogun, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care Development Board, said earlier in his welcome address. He restated the Government’s commitment to improving nutrition outcomes, decreasing vulnerability and strengthening resilient communities with sustainable interventions.
Commissioners for Youth and Sports, Agriculture and Food Security, and Special Duties, and Chairman of Yewa North Local Government and development partners delivered goodwill messages. They all agreed that the programme was a welcome development that would help solve food insecurity and malnutrition problems in Ogun State and the nation.
Others are the Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Women Affairs, Youth and Sports, Industry, Trade and Investment, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); State Primary Health Care Development Board, Development Partners, Traditional Institutions and other implementing agencies, Dr. Coker said.
It would provide strategic direction to the programme, ensuring its implementation was coordinated between stakeholders and that it was transparent and accountable, as well as making sure it was implemented in line with its objectives, and reviewing the programme’s performance periodically to ensure the programme is successful, she added.
The official roll out of the National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-West zone will be in Ogun state on the 25th day of July.
