The Civil Society- Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos First Lady and Wife of Executive Governor of the State, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu where she was recognized as “Nutrition Champion”, Lagos State.
Leading the CS-SUNN’s delegate on the advocacy visit, the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka said the recognition is a result of the Lagos First Lady’s firm commitment to the wellbeing of women and children, displayed in several capacities, even as a medical practitioner.
Mrs. Eluaka called on Dr. Mrs. Sanwo-Olu to support the full implementation of the State Multi-sectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition (2019-2023) designed to reduce malnutrition.
According to her, the plan covers 6 core areas namely, Food and Nutrition Security, Enhancing Caregiving Capacity, Enhancing the Provision of Quality Health Services, Improving Capacity to Address Food and Nutrition Insecurity, Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Problem of Malnutrition in Nigeria and Resource
Allocation for Food and Nutrition Security at all levels.
The CS-SUNN Executive Secretary tasked her Excellency to push for improved supply and demand for Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition interventions/services in the state by facilitating the approval and funding of the Lagos State Multi-sectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition (2019 -2023) by the State Executive Council.
She also urged the Lagos First Lady to contribute towards ensuring adequate budgetary allocation and timely release of funds for maternal nutrition and Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and interventions, at the state and local government levels.
In her response, the Lagos First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu commended CS-SUNN for making lots of progress in ensuring that the state government develops her state-specific plan and pledged her support for its funding and implementation.
“There will be some cash-backings. I will tell the Governor about this plan to be approved as it will help the nutritional status of the people because the governor
is concerned. There are also other people in the Council who are interested in the nutritional status of the people especially women even during pregnancy. They will also play a role”, she said.