From Danjuma Labiru Bolari, Gombe
Gombe state government has been called upon by the civil society -scaling up nutrition in Nigeria CS-SUNN to increase budgetary allocation for Nutrition against 15 per cent national interest.
The executive secretary of the association Sunday Okoronkwo made this call during an advocacy to the Executive secretary of the Primary Health care development agency Gombe State Dr Abdurrahaman Shu’aibu, where he appealed to him to assist in pushing it to the government.
Okoronkwo who was represented by the program officer Ambrose Evhoesor, said CS-SUNN has tried to see that budget allocation for Nutrition in the state has increased so that it can reduce the number of children suffering from malnutrition.
He also appealed to the government to review the maternity leave of breastfeeding mother from four to six months for them to have enough time to breastfeed their children against malnutrition.
In his response, the executive secretary of the Primary health care development agency in Gombe State Dr Abdurrahaman Shu’aibu, appreciated their visit and promised to work with them to achieve their goals.
He said he will try to push in the next budget to see that increment is reflected.
Similarly, the visit was extended to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Adviser Development Partners Coordination Office where the same issue was presented and they all promised to contribute their quota towards the implementation and increased budget allocation.
The permanent secretary Ministry of Budget who is also the Chairman State Committee on Food and Nutrition Jalo Ibrahim Ali assured that the aims of the advocacy are achieved.
Asma’u Iganus the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs also promised to give her ministry’s support since it involves the well-being of women and children.
Dr Ishaku Babayo Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Partners Coordination said he will do his best to see that government approves the extension of maternity leave from four to six months.
