… Receives Global Partners On Nutrition, Food Security, Others
The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has reaffirmed his commitment to improving the quality of life of Imo citizens through enhanced healthcare facilities, qualitative education, and food security in the State.
Senator Uzodimma stated this when he received a delegation of some Global Partners – Food and Agricultural Organization, UNICEF, FHI- 360, Result for Development, among others – working on Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria at the New Exco Chambers, Government House Owerri Monday May 26, 2025.
The Governor who expressed joy that Imo was among the focal States for the intervention programmes and projects, noted that the programmes align with his administration’s core values of “providing sustainable development, promoting quality living and emancipating our people.”
He disclosed that his administration established a University of Agriculture as part of its business template to address food security, with the whole idea “to promote practical agriculture, boost food production for food sufficiency and export for foreign currency earning.”
“Today, willing partners like the FAO, UNICEF, FHI-360, Result for Development and Federal Ministry of Health have volunteered to partner the State,” a joyous Senator Uzodimma said, assuring that “Imo is willing, able and committed to collaborate with these partners.”
He thanked the leader of the team who is also the House Committee Chairman on Nutrition and National Food Security/Member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Chike Okafor, for recommending Imo State to benefit from the programme/projects.
Governor Uzodimma also urged the team
to feel free to discuss all relevant aspects of their agenda and programme with the partnering ministries – Agriculture and Food Security, Education (Both Primary and Tertiary), Budget and Planning and Health – whose Commissioners were in attendance at the meeting.
Earlier, Rt. Hon. Okafor disclosed that the funding partners and donor Agencies on food and nutrition had a mandate to support national and sub-national governments in the areas of improving nutrition and making food available for the people.
He said the groups were in Imo to commence their programmes and projects, pointing out that the State is strategic, giving the position of Governor Uzodimma who is the Chairman of the Progressives Governors as well as the Chairman of South East Governor’s Forum.
Rt. Hon. Okafor commended the Governor for the holistic approach to development across the State, placing on record the untiring efforts of the Governor’s team to make the visit most fruitful.
He appreciated the Agencies for the commitments made in Imo State, especially the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), a subset of the United Nations which has already started a programme in Imo State that runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars, and expressed optimism that the programme will create greater impact to the people.
Contributing, the Country Director, Nutrition Intervention, Dr. Osita Okonkwo and UNICEF Chief of Field Office Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chilewe, commended the Imo State Governor for the commitments made in promoting the well-being and development of children and for the intervention in restoring peace in the State.
They appealed to the Governor to take seriously the improvement on the nutrition of the citizenry in Imo State, particularly that of children and mothers, and used the opportunity of the meeting to appeal for support for their summit coming up in July.
Dr. Nuhu Kilishi, National Programme Manager/Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed that there will be stakeholders’ engagement to select one School to establish Junior Farmers Club where the students will be trained and equipped in various aspects of agriculture.
He pointed out that the project will provide borehole, brood stock and other inputs, and sought for political will and commitment of the government in sustaining the project.
Other representatives who spoke and made case for improved nutrition in Imo State include, Country Director, FHI-360, Dr. Victor Ogbodo, the Country Director, Results For Development, Dr. Felix Obi.
The Deputy Governor of Imo State Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, and members of the expanded executive council attended the meeting.
