Ogun inaugurates steering committee on national community food bank programme

In a bid to combat malnutrition and its associated effects, the Ogun State Government has officially unveiled the Steering Committee for the National Community Food Bank Programme (NCFBP), a nationwide initiative aimed at bolstering food security for the most vulnerable citizens.

The NCFBP, a multi-sectoral initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is focused on bridging the hunger gap by facilitating consistent access to nutritious and locally produced food across states.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, emphasised that the programme was a deliberate response to the nutritional crisis affecting vulnerable households.

“Our priority is to secure the future of our children aged 0–6 and support vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. This is about ensuring healthy growth and brain development at the grassroots level,” she said.

Coker, who is the chairman of the committee, urged members to effectively play their roles for the successful execution of the programme, noting that the goal was to ensure that their efforts were seen through the implementation process.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, commended the initiative for its potential to strengthen the food and nutrition support system, adding that the state government was committed to improving nutrition outcomes, reducing vulnerability and building resilient communities through the programme.

In their goodwill messages, commissioners for Youth and Sports, Agriculture and Food Security, and Special Duties, along with the Chairman of Yewa North Local Government and other development partners, expressed strong support for the initiative, describing it as a timely and strategic approach to tackling food security and nutrition challenges, not only in Ogun State but across the country.

The Health Commissioner stated that members of the Steering Committee comprised representatives from key ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Special Duties, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, ALGON Chairman, State Primary Health Care Development Board, development partners, traditional institutions and other implementing bodies.

She highlighted the committee’s functions, which include providing strategic oversight for the programme, ensuring alignment of objectives, upholding transparency and accountability, and establishing a structured coordination framework that includes periodic performance reviews and regular stakeholder engagement to drive the successful implementation of the initiative.

The National Community Food Bank Programme for the South-West states is scheduled for official launch in Ogun State on July 25.