Headlines
Stakeholders seek stronger nutrition financing at local government level
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Civil society organisations, government officials and development partners have called for stronger financing, improved coordination and enhanced accountability to tackle malnutrition at the Local Government Area (LGA) level.
KANO FOCUS reports that the call was made at a high-level meeting convened by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria in collaboration with the State Committee on Food and Nutrition. The meeting brought together representatives of LGAs, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, media actors and nutrition advocates to review the status of nutrition financing and governance at the grassroots.
Participants described the forum as a strategic platform for dialogue and collective commitment aimed at accelerating progress in addressing malnutrition through strengthened governance structures, sustainable financing and community-driven accountability systems.
Key Concerns Raised
Stakeholders expressed concern over the persistently high burden of malnutrition in several LGAs, noting alarming rates of stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies and maternal malnutrition. They warned that these trends pose serious threats to child survival, cognitive development and long-term productivity.
The meeting also highlighted inadequate and inconsistent budgetary allocations for nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions across federal, state and LGA levels. In many cases, participants observed, funds are either insufficient or released irregularly, undermining effective implementation and sustainability of nutrition programmes.
Other challenges identified included weak multi-sectoral coordination among critical sectors such as health, agriculture, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and social protection; limited community engagement and accountability systems; and technical capacity gaps at the LGA level affecting planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
Resolutions and Commitments
In response to the identified gaps, stakeholders resolved to prioritise investment in preventive, high-impact, low-cost nutrition interventions while strengthening curative measures at the grassroots. They emphasised that LGA budget allocations should focus more on preventive strategies to reduce long-term costs and save more lives.
Participants also pledged support for scaling up the local production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) as both a preventive and therapeutic measure against acute malnutrition, while strengthening local economic value chains.
The meeting further resolved to improve budgetary releases for nutrition interventions, reactivate and strengthen Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN), and revitalise coordination mechanisms at state and LGA levels to ensure integrated, evidence-based programming.
Stakeholders committed to facilitating continuous capacity building for LGA nutrition focal persons, civil society organisations and community structures. They also agreed to institutionalise community-led monitoring and social accountability mechanisms to track budget releases and service delivery performance.
In addition, participants called for intensified behaviour change communication campaigns promoting optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), dietary diversity, micronutrient supplementation and maternal nutrition. Traditional, religious and community leaders, as well as women’s groups, are to be engaged as nutrition champions.
Call to Action
The meeting urged state governments to prioritise nutrition in annual budgets, ensure timely release and efficient utilisation of funds, and institutionalise performance tracking mechanisms.
Local Government Authorities were called upon to mainstream nutrition into development plans, strengthen primary healthcare delivery systems, ensure functional Ward Development Committees and reactivate LGCFN platforms.
Development partners were encouraged to sustain and expand technical and financial support in alignment with national and subnational priorities.
Communities and caregivers were advised to adopt improved nutrition practices for children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The media and civil society organisations were also tasked with institutionalising quarterly budget performance review sessions across the 44 LGAs, publicly recognising high-performing LGAs while constructively engaging those performing below expectations.
Commitment to Action
In their concluding remarks, stakeholders reaffirmed that improving nutrition at the LGA level is urgent and foundational to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. They stressed that ending malnutrition requires coordinated action, strong political will, transparent financing, empowered communities and sustained investment.
The communiqué was endorsed by Tijjani M., Mustapha Uba and Aminu Musa Saji of the Ministry for Local Government, as well as Sheriff Abubakar of CS-SUN Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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