The Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, in collaboration with UNICEF, has concluded a four-day capacity-building and coordination workshop for Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFNs).The workshop, which was held at at Nnam Hotel in Makurdi, had the theme, “Strengthening LGCFN Capacity to Coordinate Multisectoral Nutrition Action and Domestic Resource Mobilisation.”

Representatives from 12 local government areas (LGAs), selected because of their high nutrition burden, participated in the training. They included LGCFN members from the health, agriculture, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), social protection, planning and budget sectors. Also in attendance were LGA council chairmen, who chair their respective LGCFNs, as well as LGA treasurers, education secretaries and supervisory councillors for health.

A key outcome of the workshop was the development of nutrition work plans tailored to each LGA. The plans set out local priorities, financing strategies, steps for accessing the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), assigned responsibilities and measurable indicators. The LGCFNs presented and validated the plans before signing commitment forms.

The workshop was described as an important step towards decentralising nutrition governance in Benue State. Organisers said it was expected to strengthen coordination, planning and domestic resource mobilisation among LGCFNs; improve accountability for nutrition funds and commodities; and support efforts to address malnutrition at the grassroots.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Orinya Ogenyi, Chairman of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission, thanked Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia for creating an enabling environment for donors and partners to invest in child nutrition.

Ogenyi also commended UNICEF for its continued support and commitment to addressing malnutrition in the state. He praised the leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the representatives of LGA council chairmen for attending and participating in the workshop.

Speaking on behalf of the UNICEF Nutrition Specialist at the Enugu Field Office, UNICEF State Nutrition Facilitator Mr. Benjamin Ugba thanked the facilitators and participants for their contributions to the training.

ALGON Chairman and Katsina-Ala LGA Chairman Rt. Hon. Dr. Shaku Justin pledged to support nutrition programmes in the LGA. Represented by Pst. Mrs. Grace Mue, he said he was prepared to approve and release funds for nutrition activities.

Grace Akure

Information Officer

Primary Health Care Board