Nigeria Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Civil Society Alliance (CSA) has successfully inaugurated its Ondo State chapter, marking a significant expansion that extends the alliance’s presence to 25 states across Nigeria. This demonstrates CS-SUNN’s unwavering commitment to mobilizing civil society in Nigeria for improved nutrition outcomes.
At a one day inauguration meeting of the chapter in Ondo State, the foundational significance of food as a fundamental human right, underlining the imperative of collective support in attaining food and nutrition security for all was emphasized. The meeting reiterated the silent crisis of malnutrition gripping Nigeria, manifested as stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight. The presented statistics underscored the pressing need for stronger nutrition advocacy, revealing that 37% of children under 5 years in Nigeria grapple with malnutrition with Ondo state confronting a significant challenge with a stunting rate of 24%.
Dr. Goodness Anyanwu, the Programmer Manager at CS-SUNN, delivered virtuoso training session on Advocacy, equipping participants with a rich understanding of advocacy, encompassing definitions, objectives, and the essential elements of effective advocacy. The session on coalition building, guided by CS-SUNN Steering Committee Team Lead , Partnership and Collaboration, Ebere Okey-Onyema, underscored the value of embracing diversity while passionately championing CS-SUNN’s vision: ensuring that every citizen enjoys access to food and nutrition security. Participants were encouraged to function as a united team, resolute in their commitment to resolving challenges and emerging as potent change agents to advance nutrition.
Members were also urged to complete official registration, promising a treasure trove of benefits. This includes becoming part of a harmonious, collective voice for nutrition in the state and unlocking opportunities for learning and networking.
The establishment of CS-SUNN in Ondo State was marked by the nomination and election of candidates into key positions. Elections, conducted under the vigilant supervision of the Steering Committee Lead for Partnership and Collaboration, were a resounding success. The following emerged as the illustrious winners for key positions:
State Coordinator: Olabisi Omolona
State Secretary: Inyang Bola
Assistant Secretary: Mercy Rowland
Lead Advocacy: Adebayo Margret
Lead Partnership/Collaboration: Bola Fasuyi
Lead Capacity: Folashade Bamigboye
Lead Resource Mobilization: Alo Martins
Lead Policy/Research: Odedele Yinka
The Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) is a non-governmental alliance comprising organizations bound by a shared vision. The Nigeria SUN CSA is passionately dedicated to transforming Nigeria into a country where every citizen has food and is nutrition secure. Part of the mission is to amplify collective civil society voice for nutrition, a response to the call of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement. With the inauguration of the Ondo State chapter, CS-SUNN has expanded its footprint to encompass 25 states, reaffirming its profound commitment to this vital cause.
The inauguration of the Ondo State officers with 26 pioneer member CSOs stands as a pivotal step forward in CS-SUNN’s mission to advance food and nutrition security and tirelessly advocate for improved nutrition across Nigeria. In the coming months, CS-SUNN will advance her presence to states where the alliance has no chapters yet.
