EXCLUSIVE: How Rep. Chike Okafor Secured Imo State’s Inclusion in Nutrition, Agricultural Development Initiative

In a major win for Imo State and the South East region, Hon. Deacon Chike Okafor, Ph.D., Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security and Member representing Ehime Mbano/Ihitte Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency of Imo State, has successfully secured the state’s inclusion in key national initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and agricultural outcomes.

Speaking during a high-level forum on implementing agriculture-sector food and nutrition systems held in Abuja on Thursday, Hon. Okafor made a passionate and strategic case for Imo State to be included in the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) ongoing nutrition-sensitive pilot scheme.

Until now, the project had been limited to four states; Lagos, Ogun, Niger, and Bauchi, leaving out the entire South East and South South regions. 

Hon. Okafor decried the regional imbalance and insisted on the inclusion of Imo, emphasizing the state’s strategic importance and leadership capacity. 

He pointed out that the Governor of Imo State currently serves as both the Chairman of the ruling Progressive Governors’ Forum and the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, a dual role that positions the state as a key driver of regional and national development efforts. 

“I will not leave this podium until you make that promise to include my dear Imo State,” the lawmaker declared.

The bold advocacy yielded immediate results.

In direct response, Dr. Toafiq, Deputy Country Representative of the FAO, officially announced that Imo State would be included as the fifth state in the pilot project.

Hon. Okafor’s intervention also spurred a second breakthrough. 

The Director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Nuhu Kilishi, committed to incorporating Imo State into the Junior Farmers Field and Business School programme, a hands-on initiative aimed at empowering youth and strengthening community-based agricultural practices.

The lawmaker’s advocacy is rooted in a broader national agenda. 

As Chairman of the newly established House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, created under the 10th National Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Okafor has been a leading voice in pushing for nutrition-sensitive legislative reforms and policies.

He recalled how, under his leadership, the Committee hosted a multi-stakeholder retreat in May 2024, bringing together federal ministries, state assemblies, and development partners to align on a unified legislative agenda. 

This effort led to the creation of the National Legislative Network on Nutrition and Food Security, with corresponding committees established in all 36 states.

Hon. Okafor commended the FAO, Nutrition International, World Food Programme, UNICEF, and GAIN for their consistent technical support and partnership, while also calling for the review of outdated nutrition policies such as the under-implemented National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (2021–2025).

With Imo State now officially enlisted in both the FAO nutrition pilot and the Junior Farmers programme, Hon. Okafor’s determined push has positioned the state at the center of national efforts to combat malnutrition and food insecurity.

“This is a victory for the people of Imo, for the South East, and for our shared vision of a nourished Nigeria,” he declared.