Oyo, UNICEF unveil 4year multi-sectoral strategic plan of action on food security

…Oyo commits N350m to address malnutrition

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to launch a four-year Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition (OYSMPFAN) aimed at tackling malnutrition and hunger among children and women in the State.

As part of its commitment to the plan, the Oyo State Government disclosed that it has committed N350,000,000 as counterpart funding to address malnutrition in the State.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Misbaudeen Babatunde said the State Government is committed to eradicating malnutrition within its borders.

Babatunde, who was represented by the Executive Assistance on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Gafar Bello, the food and nutrition policy would serve as a roadmap for addressing food and nutrition security challenges across various sectors, including individuals, households, communities, local governments, and the state itself.

He appreciated UNICEF contributions to the development of children, women, and other vulnerable groups in the Oyo State.

Oyo State Government has allocated ₦250 million for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project and ₦100 million for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund project, totaling ₦350 million. The plan aims to reduce the current stunted rate of malnourished children in the State, which stands at 34.5% according to UNICEF.

While reiterating the commitment of the State Government to eradicating malnutrition, he said the Government allocated ₦250 million as its counterpart fund for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project, a World Bank initiative that commenced in March 2020 as well as paid ₦100 million as its counterpart fund for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund project, “In total, the Oyo state government’s contribution is N350,000,000 in terms of money as counterpart contribution to the Nutrition Fund to address all forms of malnutrition.”

He decried the current stunted rate of malnourished children, adding “it’s expected that if the policy is well implemented, it will reduce the percentage. The present administration since assumption had been working assiduously for enhanced economic growth, employment and wealth creation as well as creating an enabling environment for women and children in the State.”

Babatunde also said that a home-grown 20 years Development Plan termed Agenda 2040 that will be a product of inputs and perspectives of various shades of opinions including State and non-state actor has been developed and launched in the State.

In his remarks,the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tunde Ayanleke assured UNICEF that various activities in the plan document would be judiciously implemented so that human, materials, and financial resources committed to the eventual production of the document yield positive results.