Gombe Livestock Ministry Supports CS-SUNN’s Efforts to Reduce Malnutrition

Gombe State Commissioner for Livestock Production, Alhaji Salisu Baba Alkali, has pledged the ministry’s support for efforts by the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, to reduce malnutrition in the state.

Alkali made the commitment on Thursday when the Gombe State chapter of CS-SUNN visited him for an advocacy meeting.

The commissioner said nutrition requires support from different sectors, recalling his previous engagements with CS-SUNN while serving as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

He said the livestock sector could contribute to better nutrition by increasing the production and availability of nutritious animal-source foods.

Alkali assured the group that the ministry was open to partnerships aimed at addressing malnutrition in Gombe State.

Earlier, CS-SUNN State Coordinator, Rebecca Caleb Maina, called on the commissioner to support increased funding for nutrition and advocate for the extension of paid maternity leave to six months.

Maina said the extension would help promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve maternal and child nutrition.

She also called for stronger cooperation between the ministry, CS-SUNN and other stakeholders to promote nutrition-sensitive livestock production and improve access to affordable and nutritious animal-source foods.

The advocacy visit, supported by UNICEF, is part of CS-SUNN’s efforts to strengthen government commitment and multi-sectoral collaboration on nutrition in Gombe State.