Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has initiated a collaborative effort with the Federal Government to empower 5,000 youths. The strategic action plan launched by the governor aims to ensure food security and combat poverty and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and women.
Speaking in Calabar alongside Deputy Governor Peter Odey during the launch of the Cross River State Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition, Governor Otu emphasized the plan’s focus on enhancing food and nutrition security. This entails investing in agriculture to boost food production, availability, accessibility, and affordability for all residents of Cross River State.
He emphasized the implementation of measures to enhance food harvesting, processing, and preservation, aiming to minimize post-harvest losses. Additionally, school-based strategies will be employed to address malnutrition among school-age children, aiming to improve their learning, health, and nutritional status.
Governor Otu assured attendees that the State Planning Commission, under his chairmanship, would oversee the coordination of these efforts as outlined in the newly launched State policy. He expressed determination to transform existing statistics by 2027 to meet the proposed targets.
Bong Duke, Vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, reiterated the state government’s commitment to Governor Bassey Otu’s directive. By 2027, the aim is to have not only the healthiest population in Nigeria but across Africa.
Olusoji Akinleye, Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF Nigeria’s Enugu Field Office, commended the government for its innovative approach to tackling malnutrition. He praised the domestication and launch of the Cross River State Nutrition Policy and Multisectoral Strategic Action Plan as a significant step forward.
In another development, the Cross River State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (MEDA) has partnered with the Federal Government to annually empower 5,000 youths with essential skills to contribute to the growth of the national economy. Great Ogban, Director-General of MEDA, met with Abiola Arogundade, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education (SSAP-TVEE), highlighting the national focus on empowering Nigeria’s workforce.
Ogban emphasized, “A robust and skilled workforce is fundamental to Nigeria’s future. We appreciate the leadership of SSAP-TVEE, Abiola Arogundade, and MEDA is fully committed to collaborating to ensure that Cross River State leads in this pivotal initiative.”
Patrick Egbede, the State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, also praised the SSAP-TVEE initiative, highlighting the importance of skill acquisition in wealth creation. “In any economy, possessing the right skills is crucial for wealth-building. This program provides an excellent opportunity for our youth to acquire the knowledge and expertise necessary for success,” he added.
