Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has commended the State Committee on Food and Nutrition for its outstanding performance in Southern Nigeria, saying its activities and coordination efforts have continued to project the state positively at the national level.
Governor Otu, represented by the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Planning Commission, Pastor Dr. Bong Duke, gave the commendation while declaring open the third-quarter meeting of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition at the State Planning Commission building, New Secretariat Complex, Calabar.
The Governor said the committee’s performance had made Cross River proud nationally, noting that its coordination of nutrition-related activities had demonstrated the state’s capacity to harness its human and material resources towards improving food and nutrition outcomes.
Duke disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had invited Governor Otu to join the Vice President on a high-level delegation to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attributing the recognition to the positive profile generated by the activities of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition.
He said the invitation was an indication that the committee’s work had continued to showcase Cross River positively, adding that the state’s human and material resources could be effectively deployed through improved coordination among relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The Governor assured line MDAs involved in nutrition activities of increased support and funding, saying the administration would provide the necessary resources to consolidate the state’s achievements and sustain its position as a leading state in nutrition coordination.
He charged members of the committee to remain united and focused on its objectives, expressing confidence that the state had the capacity to close existing gaps.
“All the milestones that are red or yellow shall change to green because the State has the capacity to close all gaps,” he said, while urging the committee to do more in the discharge of its responsibilities.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Planning Commission, Mr. Kingsley Ndem Eyibio, thanked Governor Otu for providing the environment required for the committee to perform its functions.
Ndem Eyibio also commended Pastor Duke for his leadership of the committee and praised members for their understanding, unity and commitment, urging them to sustain the spirit of solidarity for the growth and development of Cross River State.
The State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Nkem Eyoung Ubana, reminded members to submit their reports promptly, stressing that nutrition activities are assessed against specific timelines and that delays in reporting could affect the state’s performance at the national level.
”As a leading State, it’s not good to present report at the national late,” Ubana said, while expressing appreciation to all stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the committee.
Highlights of the meeting included the presentation and adoption of the third-quarter report, presentation of progress reports on annual operational plans and consideration of proposed next steps, with Directors and Nutrition Officers from implementing MDAs and members of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition in attendance.
By Iloke Egbe
