For the smooth implementation of the food systems transformation pathway in Nigeria, the Federal Government has inaugurated a national steering committee for the purpose.
Performing the ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, said the committee is expected to transform the nation’s food systems for the sustainable development of the country.
“As the coordinating Ministry, we have constituted a multisectoral and multi-stakeholder implementation Task Team including all relevant stakeholders and our development partners to serve as a think tank for effective implementation of all the 78 priority recommendations that will change the narrative and serve as a game changer to our food systems from the farm to folk and finally to waste,” he said.
According to him, the committee’s terms of reference include the provision of leadership for zonal coordination of the implementation of the food systems transformation pathways in all the 36 states, including the FCT; receiving updates from the states in the six geopolitical zones; leading advocacy to the state governors and Governors’ Forum.
Others include galvanizing both political and financial support for implementation by critical stakeholders, reviewing priority actions in the food systems transformation as may be required by the UN Food systems coordination hub; and supervising the activities of the appointed zonal coordinating directors and Technical Working Groups of state and federal MDAs.
Prince Agba said that the steering committee would provide leadership for the implementation of all 78 recommendations for transforming food systems, and noted that “there was no better time to inaugurate the committee than now, considering that the present administration was transiting to a new one on May 29, 2023.
According to the minister, the committee members were carefully chosen who would drive the implementation of the food system both at the national and sub-national levels of government in the country.
Among members of the committee are: Minister of State Budget& National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, FAO Country Rep, Mr. Fred Kafeero, IFAD Country Rep, Mrs. Dede Ekoue, WFP Country Director, Mr. David Stevens, Permanent Secretary Budget & National Planning, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako, Planning, Alh. Aliyu Ahmed, Permanent Secretary – of Finance, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Mary Ukoette Bassey, Permanent Secretary of Akwa Ibom Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Christopher Joseph Udoh, Permanent Secretary Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Economic Planning & Mrs. Mariam Shehu Permanent Secretary Borno State Ministry of Economic Planning.
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