Cross River Governor Otu Launches ₦100 Million Plan to Improve School Children’s Nutrition and Health

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has announced a significant step towards improving food and nutrition security in the state.

The governor launched a strategic action plan on food and nutrition, backed by a matching fund of ₦100 million, to address malnutrition among school-age children and enhance their learning, health, and nutrition status.

During the launch event in Calabar, Otu emphasized the importance of investing in agriculture to increase food production, availability, accessibility, and affordability in the state.

He also highlighted the government’s commitment to reducing post-harvest losses by improving food harvesting, processing, and preservation techniques.

The governor expressed his gratitude to UNICEF and other partners for their contributions towards the realization of the action plan.

He assured the public that his administration would work closely with all stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the plan.

Dr Olusoji Akinleye, Officer-in-charge of UNICEF Nigeria, Enugu Field Office, congratulated the Cross River government for launching the nutrition policy and pledged continued collaboration to improve the lives of children and women in the state.

The event was attended by dignitaries from various UN agencies and NGOs, signifying the importance of the initiative in addressing the challenges of malnutrition and food insecurity in Cross River.

The strategic action plan represents a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach to improving the health and well-being of the state’s population, with a particular focus on school children.

The government’s efforts, combined with support from international partners, will play a crucial role in enhancing food and nutrition security and promoting sustainable development in Cross River.