By Mala Abdulazeez
The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has concluded a three-day advocacy visit to Yobe State, successfully engaging key stakeholders on critical nutrition policies and initiatives.
The advocacy campaign centered on several key objectives which includes; promoting the implementation of a six-month paid maternity leave, establishing a dedicated child nutrition fund, facilitating Yobe State’s access to counter-funding opportunities through CS-SUNN and UNICEF projects, and encouraging the adoption and launch of the National Policy on Food and Nutrition.
CS-SUNN Program Officer and team lead, Mr. Ambrose Evhoesor expressed gratitude for the positive reception from Yobe State stakeholders.
Mr. Avhoesor voiced optimism regarding the potential for achieving six-month paid maternity leave in the state and pledged CS-SUNN’s support for capacity-building efforts, including memo writing and the successful launch of nutrition policies.
The advocacy team included coordinators from Lagos and Yobe States, along with officials from ministries focused on budget planning and donor coordination. This collaborative effort underscores CS-SUNN’s ongoing commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition throughout Nigeria.
During the visit, CS-SUNN representatives met the Speaker, Yobe State House of Assembly, Chiroma Buba Mashio, who assured the team of the House’s open-door policy and highlighted some progresses, including the formation of a committee on food and nutrition, the passage of the Child Rights Act, and the allocation of 15% of the annual budget to the health sector.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Baba Malam Wali Represented by the Permanent Secretary Abdulkarim Mai Umar reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to developmental programs and announce forthcoming plans to officially launch the National Policy on Food and Nutrition.
The team also engaged with representatives from various ministries, such as Humanitarian Affairs, Women Affairs, Agriculture, Budget and Economic Planning, Livestock, the Commissioner of Health, and the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board amongst others.
