The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Lagos/Rivers Field Office, Mrs Ada Ezeogu, Honourable Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, Chief of UNICEF Rivers Field Office, Dr. Anselm Audu, Director Department of International Cooperation, MED, Dr. (Mrs) Uduak Ekong.
UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated its readiness to sustain partnership with Akwa State Government to realise set goals of the various sectors the fund is involved in.
The Chief of UNICEF Rivers Field Office, Dr. Anselm Audu, made this known during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, on Thursday 19th October, in his office.
The UNICEF team also lauded Akwa Ibom State Government, for investment in the health sector for effective service delivery, and expressed delight for the re-established Department of International Cooperation, as the Coordinating Office of all development partners, which is domiciled in the State Ministry of Economic Development.
UNICEF Boss stated the areas of support to Akwa Ibom State to include: Health – support on National Immunization Programme; and Maternal & Child Health Care Services. Nutrition – provision of Multiple Micro Nutrient Supplement to pregnant women, Micro Nutrient Power for malnourished children and Nutrient Tables, and Social Policy, among others.
He also mentioned support for development of the state 2024 Annual Operation Plan (AOP) in the health sector which the stakeholders meeting was held last week.
Responding, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, called for more collaboration with development partners, towards revitalization and sustenance of facilities provided for the health sector of the State.
He specifically acknowledged the inputs of UNICEF and other development partners, and promised that the State will ensure that proper provision of health care services are giving topmost priority in the State.
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Mr. Bob expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno, for including the Health Sector as one of his key sectors in the ARISE Agenda.
On her part, the Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Lagos/Rivers Field Office, Mrs Ada Ezeogu, gave an overview of the Nutrition Implementation Structure of Akwa Ibom State, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development, Barr. Christopher Udoh, as the Chairman of the Committee, the State Nutrition Officer in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victor Bassey, as secretary, while the Director of Donor/ Development Partners Coordinating Department in the Ministry of Economic Development, Dr. (Mrs) Uduak Ekong, serves as the second Secretary.
Mrs Ezeogu, further commended Akwa Ibom for her usual cooperation and commitment towards the implementation of UNICEF programmes in the State.
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