By Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Chairman of Sabon Gari Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Hon. Sheik Muhammad Jamilu Abubakar Albani, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to enhancing nutrition outcomes, pledging increased efforts to combat malnutrition among children and women in the area.
Represented by Vice Chairman Abdulkareem Kamir, the Chairman made this pledge during an advocacy engagement with Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), held at the council secretariat.
CS-SUNN headquarters organized the visit in partnership with the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission and the Kaduna chapter of CS-SUNN under the Partnership for Improving Nigeria Nutrition Systems (PINNS 3.0).
Kamir, who also chairs the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition, stated that the Chairman has been consistently allocating funds for nutrition activities and that his wife actively supports the program.
“I know that the chairman is doing his best to ensure that the nutrition program is progressing well. The nutrition team also meets regularly to give updates on activities and progress,” he said.
He observed that while the council was not fully briefed before the visit, he took note of all issues raised and assured that he would inform the Chairman for further action. “We appreciate that our efforts are being noticed, and we will continue to work towards improving the nutrition situation in Sabon Gari LGA,” he added.
Earlier, Priscilla Dariya, Director of Development Aid Coordination at the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission, praised Sabon Gari LGA for its efforts. She mentioned that the state recognizes the council as a key driver of nutrition interventions.
“We have your nutrition desk officer reporting to us quarterly. That is why we are here first to appreciate you, and second, like Oliver Twist, to ask for more,” Dariya said. She encouraged the council to mobilize more resources for nutrition, highlighting that Sabon Gari has many children in need.
Kaduna State Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Celestina Ayim, emphasized that local governments are vital for achieving better nutrition results because they are closest to the community.
Referencing the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Ayim noted that Kaduna State still faces significant challenges, with a stunting rate of 40.7%, 24.7% of children underweight, and about 50% of women of reproductive age suffering from anemia.
“These figures are not just statistics. They represent real children, women, and families in our communities. When we talk about nutrition, we are talking about human capital and the future of our LGA,” she said.
Ayim urged the council to prioritize nutrition in its budget, ensure clear and dedicated allocations, and guarantee timely release and effective use of funds. She also called for strengthening the Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition, developing a costed work plan, and improving monitoring and evaluation.
Programs Officer at CS-SUNN headquarters, Oludare Isaac, explained that the Federal Government’s Nutrition 774 initiative aims to drive interventions in all 774 LGAs.
He stated that research shows that every $1 invested in nutrition can yield up to $16 in returns, describing nutrition as “a smart investment, not an expenditure.”
He stressed that low-cost, high-impact interventions can be implemented at the LGA level with political support, budget allocation, and financial backing.
The engagement concluded with both CS-SUNN and the council agreeing to strengthen collaboration to ensure that nutrition policies deliver tangible benefits to communities in Sabon Gari.