By Adamu Yusuf
The Civil Society — Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria(CS-SUNN) and its partners have called on the Kano state government to create a Nutrition department at all ministries, departments, and agencies to tackle nutritional challenges in the state.
The Kano State tate Coordinator of CS-SUNN Hajiya Zainab Ali disclosed this in an interview shortly after visiting Kano state Commissioner of Information Baba Halilu Dantiye in his office.
According to her, creating the department as well as extending the maternity leave for women from three months to six months will go a long way in improving the living conditions of the Mother and her baby.
“We want the commissioner to help in our agitation for the creation of a Nutrition Department in all the line MDAs as we have already submitted a request to the Office of the Head of Civil Service,” she said.
On exclusive breastfeeding, she also solicits for Ministry’s support in terms of public sensitization for proper understanding of the program.
The Coordinator then urged the state government for timely release of funds concerning nutritional activities in the State to reduce the number of malnourished children in the society.
Also, the public relations officer of the organisation Salman Muhammad prays for the establishment of creches in all working places to safeguard nursing mothers and their children from being fully breastfed during working hours.
On his part, the state Commissioner for information Baba Halilu Dantiye assured them of the Ministry’s support in propagating and disseminating the program from the grassroots level for the betterment of the younger generation.
Dantiye told the delegation about government support and continuous mutual understanding in this crusade.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Hajiya Hafsa Aliyu has assured CS-SUNN that all their request will be given much priority as Nutrition plays a vital role in the life of the general populace.
“You are partners in progress, and our ministry sensitized the general public on the importance of having nutritional people, so therefore our doors are always open for you,” Hafsat Aliyu said.
