By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has called on all Local Government Councils to allocate funds specifically for food and nutrition programmes in their respective areas.
The appeal was made by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi Bata, during the official commencement of food and nutrition programmes organized by the Ministry of Local Government and the programme’s steering committee at the Kwara North Senatorial District in Bode Saadu, Moro Council Headquarters.
Represented by the Director of Community Development, Mr. Abdullateef Mustapha, Bata highlighted that the steering committee includes vice-chairmen, heads of planning, local government focal officials, budget officers, and other relevant stakeholders.
The workshop, themed “Creation of Budget Line on Food and Nutrition at the Council Level”, aims to make the committee functional and relevant, while promoting the health and well-being of children under five, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
Bata commended the significant achievements of the chairmen across various sectors, while urging them to intensify efforts on food and nutrition initiatives at the council level to complement the State Government’s drive for a healthier society and to combat malnutrition.
He encouraged participants to ensure that lessons from the workshop translate into actionable blueprints, including the creation of budget lines for food and nutrition in council budgets.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Arinde, represented by Mr. Olaitan Lamidi, stressed that the workshop is designed to ensure sustainable budgetary provision for the programme across all Local Government Councils.
She noted that both Federal and State Governments, alongside partners like UNICEF, have committed substantial funds to significantly reduce malnutrition in the State.
The Vice-Chairman of Moro Local Government Council, Hon. AbdulRazaq Sulyman, who also serves as Chairman of the Forum of Vice-Chairmen, commended the Ministry for initiating the workshop, noting that it would greatly assist councils in managing and sustaining the programme.
Hajia Nimota Labaika, Deputy State Coordinator of Civil Society Calling Up on Nutrition in Nigeria, reaffirmed their commitment to engaging all Executive Chairmen at the ALGON level to ensure the programme’s success.
She praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for approving the Multi-Sectoral Master Plan at the State level, urging councils to actively participate for the benefit of grassroots communities.
