By: Danjuma Attah, Gombe
Authorities overseeing the administration of Local Governments in Gombe State have been tasked to ensure immediate release Local Government nutrition funds.
The request was made by the Gombe State Coordinator of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (SC-SUNN), Mrs Comfort Mukallo, during an advocacy visit to the Gombe State Commissioner for Local Governments and Community Development, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed.
She said the intervention and support of the Ministry in ensuring Local Governments fund nutrition activities has become crucial as it will effect positive change for the women and children of Gombe State.
Mrs Comfort also advocated for a policy change by extending maternity leave to six months, which aligns with global best practices. Maternity leave in Gombe State range between three and four months at the maximum and only in very few cases.
She told the Commissioner That, “I want to bring to your attention, two critical issues that demand our immediate consideration for the wellbeing and future prosperity of Gombe State.
“We encourage you to champion the cause for an extension of maternity leave and increased nutrition funding within the policy framework of our State.
“Release of nutrition funds will bolster Government intervention in Children, particularly those under the age of five.
“Your influence can pave the way for healthier families and a more prosperous future”, she insisted.
She also called for stakeholders engagement in addressing the issues saying, “together, we can mobilize support from various stakeholders, including health professionals, community leaders and advocacy groups.
“By fostering collaboration, we amplify our impact and create a unified voice for positive change”, she added.
Responding, the Gombe State Commissioner for Local Governments and Community Development, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed, commended CS-SUNN over its approach to the malnutrition issue in the State saying, “malnutrition is a very serious issue in Gombe State which deserve Government’s attention”.
He assured that Government will not fold it’s hands and watch things deteriorate stressing that the Inuwa Yahaya Government is a listening one.
He encouraged CSO’s to also do advocacies in local communities and Local Governments for the people to really understand the situation on ground promising that his ministry will always respond whenever it’s attention is being called upon.
