UNICEF, CS-SUNN commence one year project to increase nutrition funding in Gombe as CSO coalition, media begin advocacy training, budget tracking 

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By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe 

The Project Officer of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Dare Isaac Oguntade, has explained that his organization is in a partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to see a situation where there is an increase in total release of funding and effective utilization of funds from $2m to $3m within the next one year.

He stated this during the commencement of a capacity building training by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media practitioners on Advocacy and Budget tracking in Gombe State.

He said the training is on Advocacy and Budget tracking adding, “that is what they will be doing for us to know it is implemented.” 

The CS-SUNN is executing a project in Gombe State aimed at influencing stakeholders to increase Investment in Nutrition for Scaling Up of Quality Nutrition Services with the support of UNICEF. 

According to him, “They will be monitoring that throughout the year, and hoping that will help in tracking and securing more releases in funding as well as help in actualizing legislation for six months maternity leave from the current three months.” 

Dare Oguntade also emphasized the importance of the role the Media will play in achieving success at the end of the project.

He said that, “the role of the media is very important as they spread the the news on the need for behavioural change especially towards improving exclusive breastfeeding for it to be practiced, not just extending the period of maternity leave”.

In her presentation, Gombe State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Ronas Musa, decried the prevalence of acute malnutrition in the State despite Government’s interventions.

She said that, the State has 27 CMAM sites in Dukku, Gombe, Nafada, Kwami, Akko, Yamaltu-Deba, Funakaye and Kaltungo LGAs where treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM)takes place.

While appealing for more funding of nutrition programmes by the State Government, she called for improvement in approach to tackling malnutrition through counselling, Infant, Young Child Feeding (IYCF), increased funding as well as emphasis be made on complimentary feeding ahead of purchasing Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).