Name of Director: Dr. James Oloyede WAHEB; B.SC; M.SC; PH.D; MNSN; MEHRECON; FICAD

A seasoned Public Health and Nutrition Specialist with over 25 years’ experience in primary health care, public and environmental health.  He is a first class graduate and a Master’s degree holder in Human Nutrition from the Premier University of Ibadan. An astute resource person/trainer for leading International Organizations like UNICEF and other Development Partners.  He led the pioneering of the State Committee on Food and Nutrition, School Feeding Programmes, and coordinated the construction and equipping of over 30 MDGs PHC Centres across the State. He is an author, a registered members of Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria, Nutrition Society of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Administrators, and holds a PH.D in Public Health with University of Nicaragua (UCN).

Name of Deputy Director: Mr. Mayowa Iyanda Olaniyi B.SC.; Masters’ in Public Health

Mr Olaniyi holds a first degree in Human nutrition from the University of Ibadan in 2004 and a Masters’ degree in Public Health from Obafemi Awolowo Univeristy, Ile-Ife in 2012. He worked across local governments in Osun as Head of Department and was deployed to the Board in 2018. He is married with children.

The Department of Nutrition and Health Education was created by splitting into two the former Department of Community Health Services in 2017. The Department plays a prominent and pivotal role in contributing to the improvement of the nutrition and health indices of the State as well as the achievement of the Nutrition and health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mission

The Mission of the Department is “to develop and coordinate the implementation of policies and programmes that promote the nutrition and health of all and sundry in the State of Osun through efficient utilization of available resources using appropriate and proven interventions, communication methods & tools in a sustainable manner”.

 Mandate

i. The Department is responsible for development of policy and implementation framework on maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and elderly Nutrition;

ii. Co-ordination and provision of technical assistance to MDAs Nutrition related programmes and Local Governments on the implementation of various nutrition interventions;

iii. Supply of available nutrition commodities including Behavioural Change Communication materials to Local Governments through LGHAs; Implementation of Integrated Supportive Supervision of Nutrition and Health programmes in the State.

iv. Support improvement in health and nutrition service delivery including uptake of services through Advocacy and use of appropriate BCC methods and materials

 

Core Departmental Functions

The Nutrition Services & Health Education Department’s core functions include:

1. Effective coordination of  Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Nutrition including School Nutrition and Nutrition care of the Elderly that proactively contribute to overall nutritional well-being of the people of Osun in particular and Nigeria in general.

2. Design and Development of Nutrition specifics and sensitive interventions appropriate to the cultural setting of the State

3. Collaboration with all Departments within the Board and Ministry of Health, line Ministries and Development Partners as well as other relevant stakeholders to promote quality services and empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their nutrition and health, thereby promoting healthy nutrition lifestyles and enhanced quality of life of the people of Osun

4.   Contribute to the development of Healthy Public Policies; creating Supportive environments for health; inculcating Health Promotion best Practices and strengthening community action for health using appropriate BCC methods and materials.

The Department has two Divisions.

The Nutrition Division is made up of five branches viz;

i. Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (including management of SAM

ii. Micronutrient Deficiency Control

iii. School Feeding and Adolescent Nutrition

iv. Diet related Non Communicable diseases (DRNCD) & Nutrition of the Elderly

v. Monitoring and Evaluation/Nutrition Information and Surveillance System

The activities of the Nutrition Division are based on the National Nutrition Policy/Programme as adapted by the State and the Strategic Workplan for food and Nutrition having an overall objective to improve and sustain the nutritional status of the people of Osun and combat the problem of malnutrition manifesting as nutrient deficiencies especially Micronutrient Deficiencies, stunting and wasting and diet related non communicable diseases. It seeks to prevent onset of DRNCD

FUNCTIONS

The functions of the division include:

1. Provision of leadership for programmes in Nutrition, Infant & Young Child Feeding, Micronutrient Deficiencies Control, School feeding and adolescent nutrition, Diet related non Communicable Diseases & Nutrition of the Elderly and M & E/NISS;

2. Coordination of Activities in Nutrition Programmes in the State

3. Management of Resources for Nutrition Programmes;

4. Collaboration with Partners in the development and Implementation of Nutrition Programmes;

5. Technical support for relevant MDAs implementing Nutrition sensitive and specific programmes

6. Policy Formulation and development of implementation framework on Nutrition related matters;

7. Provision of guidelines for Nutrition service delivery;

8. Advocacy, Information, Education, and Communication in Nutrition;

9. Capacity Building (Training);

10. Monitoring, Supervision and Evaluation;

The Director of Nutrition is the State Focal Point for Nutrition in the State

HEALTH PROMOTION DIVISION

The Health Promotion Division is made up of two branches viz.;

1. Health Education;   

2. Advocacy/ Behaviour Change Communication Materials Development;

The functions of the Division are as listed below:

• Contribute to the development of Healthy Public Policies;

• Creation of supportive environments for health;

• Strengthening of community action for health;

• Capacity building for Health Promotion best practices;

• Re-orientation of health service providers;

• Development of Health Promotion Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Materials;

• Public enlightenment and awareness creation/campaigns on public health and Nutrition issues.

The Head of Health Promotion is the State Focal Point for Health Promotion Activities in the State