The Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Sanda Sikiru Oyedele, has inaugurated the Egbeda Local Government Food and Nutrition Committee as part of renewed efforts to tackle malnutrition and improve food security across communities within the council area.
The chairman, who also serves as the head of the committee, charged members to intensify efforts toward improving access to adequate nutrition and strengthening food support systems for vulnerable residents, particularly pregnant women and children under the age of two.
The initiative is in line with the one-year intervention programme of the United Nations Children’s Fund being implemented across seven states in Nigeria, including Oyo State, with participation from 20 local governments within the state.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Nutrition Officer of Egbeda Local Government, Mrs. Oladunni Oladepo, explained that the programme was designed to strengthen nutrition delivery at the grassroots level by ensuring that local governments commit resources toward nutrition-focused interventions.
She noted that the initiative would help improve nutrition awareness, enhance food access, and support sustainable health outcomes among women and children in the local government area.
The newly inaugurated committee comprises key stakeholders from various sectors, including health, agriculture, education, budget and planning, environment, information, civil society organisations, and monitoring and evaluation units of the council.
Members of the committee include:
Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele – Chairman
Hon. Ibrahim Oladebo – Vice Chairman (Alternate Chairman)
Alhaja Dr. Alaga Monsurat – HLGA (Alternate Chairman)
Mr. Abiola Adebayo – Director of Budget (Secretary)
Mrs. Oladunni Oladepo – Nutrition Officer (Assistant Secretary)
Mr. Omolewo – Director of Agriculture
Mrs. Ilugbaro Bosede – Director of Education
Mrs. Victoria Baale – Director of Environment
Mrs. Carew Sherifat – Information Officer
Mrs. Olayinka Oloyede – PCD Officer
Mrs. Popoola Olufemi Simeon – Representative, Civil Society Organisation
Dr. Oyedare Elizabeth – Ministry of Health, Egbeda LG
Mrs. Tewogbade Florence – Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Egbeda LG
Addressing stakeholders at the event, Hon. Oyedele emphasized the need to integrate nutrition programmes with social protection initiatives in order to effectively reach vulnerable households within the council area.
He further urged stakeholders to redesign and strengthen strategies aimed at improving nutrition awareness, food support systems, and community participation in nutrition-related programmes.
According to the chairman, adequate funding arrangements have already been put in place to ensure the sustainability and effective implementation of nutrition programmes across Egbeda Local Government.
