By Rakiya A.Muhammad
The Civil Society-Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has underscored the need for the Sokoto State Government to approve the strategic nutrition plan and promptly release adequate funds for implementing nutrition interventions to reduce malnutrition.
“With malnutrition affecting at least one in three people in the world today and Nigeria, unfortunately, holding the second-highest number of stunted children worldwide, CS-SUNN’s mission gains even greater significance- the commitment to addressing malnutrition which has become a persistent public health concern in Nigeria,” it said.
Speaking at a media roundtable on the ‘increased investment in nutrition to scale-up quality nutrition services’ project, Executive Secretary CS-SUNN Silas Ideva pointed out that the non-approval of the state NSPAN serves as a persistent barrier, affecting the adoption of a coordinated, multisectoral approach by various nutrition-related Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in promoting food and nutrition security in Sokoto.
“The absence of dedicated nutrition departments in the state further deepens this challenge, resulting in a decentralisation of leadership and responsibility for policies, planning, programming, advocacy, and monitoring related to nutrition across various sectors, “he added.
“The supportive environment for maternity protection and entitlements, crucial for fostering and enhancing breastfeeding practices, faces obstacles. CS-SUNN emphasises the imperative to ensure that all infants in Sokoto can lead healthier and more productive lives.”
He urged the state government to approve and fund the Sokoto Multisectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition, establish Nutrition Departments in all line Ministries, Department and Agencies and scale up staple food fortification initiatives for the availability of affordable, nutritious foods.
The CS-SUNN ES also stressed the need to implement maternity entitlements, such as a six-month paid maternity leave and the establishment of workplace creches.
“These measures play an invaluable role in promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until two years of age,” he explained.
“In the face of these challenges, CS-SUNN is implementing the ‘Increased Investment to Scale-Up Quality Nutrition Services’ project in Sokoto State.”
Ideva described nutrition as a cornerstone for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and the overall well-being of the Nigerian populace.
He disclosed that in collaboration with UNICEF, the Sokoto State Chapter of CS-SUNN hosted the inaugural media roundtable, spotlighting the critical need for increased investments, timely releases and effective utilisation of allocated funds for nutrition programming in Sokoto.
In a remark, Buhari Umar, Director of Budget, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Sokoto, said the state government had made a provision of N500million in the 2024 Budget for the direct Procurement of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), besides other agricultural and poverty-related interventions running into billions.
He noted that to achieve the SDGs, SDP, and 9-point agenda, stakeholders should make a conscious effort to link plans and budgets to the communities.
