Governor Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life, nutrition, and food security for the people of Imo State through strategic partnerships with development agencies.
The governor made this known on Monday while receiving a delegation of global partners working in the areas of nutrition and food security in Nigeria. The delegation included representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, FHI 360, Results for Development, and others.
Today, I received a delegation comprising Country Heads of Nutrition International, FHI-360, Results for Development (R4D), and UNICEF. Our strategic discussions centered around forging a robust partnership to address critical areas such as nutrition, agriculture, food security… pic.twitter.com/FPedG1cE1v
— Hope Uzodimma (@Hope_Uzodimma1) May 26, 2025
Welcoming the intervention programmes, Governor Uzodimma noted that they aligned with his administration’s vision for sustainable development, improved living standards, and the overall empowerment of Imo citizens.
He highlighted the recent establishment of a University of Agriculture by the state government as a deliberate step to promote practical agriculture, increase food production, and boost export capacity for foreign exchange earnings.
“Today, partners such as the FAO, UNICEF, FHI 360, Results for Development, and the Federal Ministry of Health have expressed readiness to collaborate with us,” the governor said.
“Imo State is ready, willing, and fully committed to working with these partners.”
Governor Uzodimma also expressed appreciation to the leader of the delegation, Hon. Chike Okafor Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and National Food Security for his efforts in ensuring Imo’s inclusion in the intervention programmes.
He encouraged the visiting team to engage freely with the relevant state ministries, including Agriculture and Food Security, Education (primary and tertiary), Budget and Planning, and Health, to facilitate smooth implementation of their initiatives.
In his remarks, Hon. Okafor, who represents Okigwe South Federal Constituency, stated that the donor agencies aimed to support governments in improving nutrition and food access nationwide. He noted that the groups were in Imo to formally commence their programmes and projects.
He described Imo as a strategic partner, particularly considering Governor Uzodimma’s dual roles as Chairman of both the Progressives Governors’ Forum and the South-East Governors’ Forum. He commended the governor for his comprehensive approach to development and the supportive environment created for the visiting partners.
Hon. Okafor also thanked the agencies especially the FAO for their substantial financial commitments, revealing that programmes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were already underway in the state. He expressed confidence that the interventions would significantly impact the people.
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Dr Osita Okonkwo, Country Director for Nutrition Intervention, and Mrs Juliet Chilewe, Chief of UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, commended the governor for his support towards child welfare and development in the state. They urged the government to prioritise nutrition, particularly for mothers and children, and requested support for their upcoming nutrition summit scheduled for July.
Dr Nuhu Kilishi, a director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, announced plans for a stakeholder engagement to select a school where a Junior Farmers’ Club would be established. The initiative, he explained, would train students in various aspects of agriculture and provide infrastructure such as boreholes and brood stock.
He appealed to the state government to demonstrate political will and sustained commitment to the success of the project.
Other contributors, including Dr Victor Ogbodo, Country Director of FHI 360, and Dr Felix Obi, Country Director of Results for Development, also made a strong case for prioritising nutrition and food security initiatives across the state.
