The Kano state Head of Service has directed nutrition-line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to establish nutrition departments in their various MDAs. This pronouncement was made by the representative of the Kano state Head of Service, Alhaji Salisu Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary, office of the Head of Service during an advocacy visit by CS-SUNN National in collaboration with the Kano state chapter of the alliance and the state Ministry of Budget and Planning to key nutrition-line MDAs in the state.
The advocacy team led by CS-SUNN Co- Chair, Mrs. Aji Robinson also visited the state Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Water Resources, Kano Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KARDA). The team advocated for the establishment of nutrition department, creation of a budget line for the department to be established, extension of paid maternity leave from four to six months and increased funding for nutrition (including timely allocation and releases of funds) in the aforementioned MDAs.
“The creation of the department would encourage youths to pursue food and nutrition at the health institutions so as to obtain relevant qualification on the subject matter in order to be employed.”- said Alhaji Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, office of the Head of Service while responding to the team. The team also received buy in and commitment from Directors and other Permanent Secretaries of the visited line MDAs in support of the advocacy asks.
In the meantime, the Kano State Chapter of CS-SUNN will carry-out follow-up visits to ensure the fulfillment of the commitment by the Kano State Head of Service. The national body of CS-SUNN is currently collaborating with the National Council on Nutrition and the Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning to strengthen advocacy efforts to some state governments (Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, Kano and Lagos) for the establishment of Nutrition department in various line MDAs in those states.
Recall the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Gen. Mohammed Buhari had approved the establishment of Nutrition Departments in line Ministries Departments and Agencies at both the Federal and State levels. This executive order has been implemented in Zamfara, Plateau and Cross River States with the processes ongoing in some ministries at the Federal Level.
