By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Twenty LGCs in Bauchi State have agreed to contribute the sum of N10m each to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), subject to JAAC ratification and approval in order to fight severe acute malnutrition in Children U-5 in the State.
The decision was contained in a communique issued at the end of advocacy meeting held in Jos and facilitated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination as well as Ministry for Local Government and Chieftain Affairs, with Local Government Executive Chairpersons and Heads of Administration on investing in result for Children.
It is expected that subject to the approval, each LGC is to contribute the sum of N10m to the CNF.
The LGAs also approved engagement on stipend, of at least 20 Health Services Volunteers by each of the 20 LGAs as casual staff pending their formal absorption by the Government as permanent and pensionable employees.
They further agreed to strengthen functionality of Governance Structure of Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN) in line with N774 Initiative for implementation of Nutrition Programme at LG and ward levels.
The LGAs will also step down the Primary Healthcare Task Force at Local Government level under the Chairmanship of the Executive chairman of each LGA.
They will ensure that they strengthen functionality of community structures e.g Mama to Mama and Fathers for good health (Baba to Baba) in order to promote demand for immunization, antenatal, Nutrition, sanitation & hygiene, education and child protection.
The Councils will continue to advocate for support from partners like UNICEF and WaterAid Nigeria on construction and drilling of Solar Powered Boreholes across the LGAs while engaging in renovation of dilapidated Water and Sanitation facilities.
Also, they will ensure engagement with relevant stakeholders e.g market groups, trade unions and traditional leaders for provision of toilets in public places like markets and motor parks to eradicate open defecation.
They will also ensure House to House mobilization by Nutrition officers in adaptation of the Jigawa MASAKI Model Initiatives Programme in Bauchi State
The LGAs will strife to address critical LGA level data gaps and generate reliable disaggregated evidence through household survey for informed planning, equitable resource allocation, programme targeting and monitoring of development outcomes across all LGAs.
Each LGA will contribute the sum of N7,000,000 subject to JAC approval after the 2027 general election while UNICEF will contribute N50,000,000 and N60,000,000 by the Bauchi State Government.
The Council Chairpersons agreed that each of them should lead school enrolment drive through their Councillors as well as strengthen institutions for community feedback in their respective LGAs and lead the prevention of aid diversion – abuse, fraud, and misuse of nutrition commodities to ensure accountability in their respective LGAs.
The communique is signed and released by Chairman, ALGON, Commissioners of Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination and Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.
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