…as State partners FG to empower 5,000 youths
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has launched a strategic action plan for the State, designed to ensure food security, and fight poverty and malnutrition, especially among children and women, to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders.
The governor, who stated this in Calabar in the company of Peter Odey, the deputy governor, at the launch of Cross River State Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, noted that the strategic plan of action would focus on achieving food and nutrition security through investment in agriculture to increase food production, availability, accessibility and affordability to all Cross Riverians.
He added that measures would be taken to improve food harvesting, processing and preservation to reduce post-harvest losses, saying that it would also include school-based strategies to reduce malnutrition among school-age children and improve their learning, health and nutrition status.
Governor Otu assured the participants that “the State Planning Commission, where I am Chairman, will drive this process of coordination as stipulated by the State policy being launched today.” He added, “We are determined to change the statistics we met on the ground to meet our proposed target by 2027.”
Bong Duke, the Vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong reiterated the plan of the state government to ensure that by 2027, as directed by Governor Bassey Otu, Cross River would have the healthiest people not just in Nigeria, but in Africa.
Also, Olusoji Akinleye, Officer-in-Charge, UNICEF Nigeria, Enugu Field Office, congratulated the government for charting a new way to address malnutrition by domesticating and launching the Cross River State Nutrition Policy and Multisectoral Strategic Action Plan.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) has joined forces with the Federal Government to empower 5,000 youths annually with vital skills to contribute to the national economy’s growth.
Great Ogban, Director-General of MEDA, who met with Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (SSAP-TVEE), underscored the national focus on empowering Nigeria’s workforce.
Ogban said, “A strong and skilled workforce is the bedrock of Nigeria’s future. We are grateful for the leadership of SSAP-TVEE, Abiola Arogundade.MEDA is fully committed to working together to ensure Cross River State is at the forefront of this crucial initiative.
Patrick Egbede, the State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, also commended the SSAP-TVEE initiative, emphasising the critical role of skill acquisition in wealth creation.
“In any economy, having the right skills is a key pathway to building wealth. This programme offers a fantastic opportunity for our youths to gain the knowledge and expertise they need to succeed,” he added.
