Chike Okafor Joins Gov Uzodimma in Strengthening Partnerships for Health, Nutrition, and Agriculture in Imo
Hon. Chike Okafor, Ph.D., Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security and Member Representing Ehime Mbano, Ihitte-Uboma, and Obowo Federal Constituency took to his social media and wrote:
On monday,May 26, 2024, I led a delegation of esteemed international development partners to a consultative meeting with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
This strategic engagement was a significant step towards fostering collaboration between Imo State and these development partners in health, nutrition, and agriculture development, critical sectors that impact the well-being and prosperity of our communities.
The meeting was a culmination of efforts that began with the inauguration of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security in February 2024. This was followed by the National Legislative Retreat on Nutrition and Food Security, which was hosted in Owerri from May 2-4, 2024.
These initiatives underscore our commitment to addressing the pressing issues of nutrition and food security in Nigeria.
Key Partnerships
The development partners who joined me in this meeting included:
- Nutrition International
- FHI-360
- Results for Development (R4D)
- UNICEF
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
These partners brought a wealth of expertise and resources to the table, with a focus on supporting Imo State in critical areas such as:
- Universal health coverage through strengthened health insurance systems
- Maternal and child nutrition
- Sustainable agricultural development
Their involvement will undoubtedly enhance the state’s capacity to deliver essential services and improve the lives of its citizens.
Nourish Nigeria Project
A key highlight of the meeting was the presence of the FAO-led delegation, which will engage with relevant state ministries, departments, and agencies to implement the Nourish Nigeria project. This initiative aims to improve nutrition and food security in Imo State, and we are excited about the potential benefits it will bring to our people.
Future Initiatives
During the meeting, I also took the opportunity to brief Governor Uzodimma on the upcoming National Legislative Summit on Food Security, scheduled to take place in July at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. I humbly requested his leadership in mobilizing APC governors to attend this pivotal event. This summit will provide a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in addressing food security challenges in Nigeria.
In Conclusion, this consultative visit was a testament to the power of collaboration and responsive governance in driving development initiatives in Imo State.
I am grateful to Governor Uzodimma for his warm reception and commitment to working with our development partners.
Let me also place on record the untiring efforts of the Imo State Government team ably led by the very hardworking but calm Chief of Staff,Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie who worked round the clock with the Honorable Commissioners for Budget,Education,Health and Agriculture to make this meeting a huge success,
I also appreciate the dedication and expertise of our partners, who are committed to making a positive impact in Imo State.
Together, we can achieve meaningful progress and improve the lives of our citizens.