The Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy has assured the Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) of its readiness to support and partner with the organisation, particularly in publicising adequate information on good nutrition to the populace.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olumide Sogunle gave the assurance during the advocacy visit by members of the Society to the Ministry on Thursday to solicit the support of the State Government in its campaign on adequate nutrition to the most vulnerable as well as the general public.
Sogunle, represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Adesegun Ogundeji, reiterated the need to sensitise the public on nutrition and ensure that the messages get to the right people, adding that it is necessary for people, especially mothers and children to be aware of the benefits of engaging in good nutritional practices.
While maintaining that the messages of the Society’s advocacy campaign would be publicised in an effective and compelling manner so that it can be accepted by all and sundry, the Permanent Secretary reiterated the commitment of the State Government to collaborate and support Civil Society Organisations with noble objectives.
The Coordinator of CS-SUNN, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Samuel Akinyode said the purpose of the visit was to seek support from the Ministry through partnership on the needed publicity on nutrition to the most vulnerable and the general public towards ensuring that adequate information on nutrition is made available to the citizens irrespective of their location across the State.
According to him, the Society, which has been in partnership with Lagos State Government for the past 10 years, has recorded several productive outcomes such as Resuscitation of the Lagos State Committee on Food and Nutrition (LSCFN), Creation of Budget Lines for Nutrition across relevant MDAs, Successful Domestication and Launch of the Food and Nutrition Policy and Multisectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition in Lagos State and Establishment of Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN) in pilot LGAs/LCDAs amongst others.
Akinyode also implored the Ministry to use its robust publicity platforms to help advocate for improved funding and timely release of funds for nutrition activities in Lagos State.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society of Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), has paid a similar visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) towards ensuring that a Food Nutrition Department is domiciled in 13 participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
