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Witness the launch of the Nasarawa State’s Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (NSMPAFN) here Short-version
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The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, recently launched the state’s Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, reaffirming his commitment to prioritize its implementation. The launch ceremony, held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the State had in attendance key policy and decision makers  Nasarawa, gathered key stakeholders including commissioners from Ministries of Finance, Budget and Planning, Health, Education, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Assistant Directors, the State Nutrition Officer, members of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) and partners such as CARE/GAIN, UNICEF, and CS-SUNN.

CS-SUNN played a key role in supporting the Nasarawa state government throughout the development, validation, and printing phases of the NSMPAFN. With contributions from partners like GAIN/CARE project, the plan underwent rigorous review and validation, culminating in its official launch by the State Governor earlier this month. The NSMPAFN, which serves as a comprehensive guide for multisectoral interventions to combat hunger, malnutrition, and promote optimal nutrition outcomes for Nasarawa residents, requires a total funding of N4,135,389,438.00K (Four billion, one hundred and thirty-five million, three hundred and eighty-nine thousand, four hundred- and thirty-eight-naira, seventy-seven kobo) across all nutrition line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state for its effective implementation. CS-SUNN in collaboration with other partners,  played a key roles in supporting the Nasarawa state government in  throughout the review  development, validation, and printing phases of the NSMPAFN. With contributions from partners like GAIN/CARE project, the plan underwent rigorous review and validation, culminating in its official launch by the State Governor earlier this month.

During the launch, the State Governor emphasized the critical importance of nutrition to health and well-being, underscoring the state government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the nutritional value chain for a healthy society. “The launch of this document is extremely groundbreaking for Nasarawa state and I charge the steering committee to live above board in the discharge of the responsibility of its implementation and creating an enabling environment for nutrition activities in Nasarawa”, said the Engr. Sule.

He promised to prioritize the implementation of the state multisectoral plan of action for nutrition in terms of funding and to approve the child nutrition fund proposal.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Hajiya Munira Abdullahi, described the launch as a historic occasion coinciding with the rollout of the state’s 2024 annual budget, urging MDAs to seize the momentum to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger. In her words “The recent approval of nutrition departments by the state government’s head of Civil service in all nutrition line MDAs is a step in the right direction. The state will put in place all necessary infrastructure that will support the implementation of this plan. We deeply appreciate our partners, the CARE project, CS-SUNN and UNICEF for their technical support, and co-funding the review of the document”.

CS-SUNN Executive Secretary, Sunday Okoronkwo, commended the collaborative efforts of the state government and stakeholders in developing the NSMPAFN, emphasizing its significance in ensuring universal access to adequate nutrition for cognitive development, physical health, and overall well-being. He pledged CS-SUNN’s continual steadfast support to the state and all stakeholders in implementing the plan, while also issuing a call-to-action for prioritizing funding and investments in the Child Nutrition Fund opportunity that doubles states investments for the procurement of nutrition commodities especially Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS).

Okoronkwo said “permit me to use this opportunity to bring a few things to your notice your Excellency, CS-SUNN has been in this and has supported the Nasarawa  SCFN to see this plan come through. The level of implementation on the strategy was not too encouraging and the main reason was because of funds. We like to plead that funding be released to all the sectors involved in the implementation of the plan”.

In the months ahead, CS-SUNN will closely monitor the commitments made by the Governor and state Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the NSMPAFN, advancing the collective goal of improving nutrition outcomes in Nasarawa.