The Oyo State government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to address malnutrition and hunger among children and women in the state.
On Tuesday, both parties launched a four-year Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition (OYSMPFAN) to ensure the success of the initiative.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, speaking at the launch in Ibadan, emphasised the state’s commitment to eradicate malnutrition.
Babatunde was represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Mr Gafar Bello.
He said that the policy would guide efforts in tackling food and nutrition security at all levels from individuals and households to local governments and the state itself.
The commissioner said that the state government allocated N250 million as its counterpart fund for the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN) project, a World Bank initiative that began in March 2020.
Additionally, he said N100 million was allocated as the counterpart fund for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund project.
“In total, the Oyo State government has contributed N350 million to address malnutrition.”
Babatunde reassured UNICEF that the state government would continue its efforts to protect children in line with the Child Rights Law of 2006.
UNICEF representative, Mr Boluwatife Ogunjimi, highlighted that the stunting rate among children in Oyo state was approximately 34.5 per cent.
Ogunjimi attributed child mortality to malnutrition and stressed that proper nutrition plays a crucial role in preventing child deaths.
NAN
