By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi State Head of Service has assured support for the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) as the organization pays an advocacy visit to his office.
In continuation of its advocacy visits to line ministries, departments, and agencies to solicit support for crèche space for nursing mothers, six months' maternity leave, and release of nutrition budget, CS-SUNN visited the office of the Head of Civil Service at Abubakar Umar Secretariat on Thursday in Bauchi.
During the visit, the members of the coalition arrived at the office as early as 10:00 am and were received by the Permanent Secretary on behalf of the Head of Service, who was away on official assignment.
Mrs. Maureen Jibrin told the Head of Service that CS-SUNN's Bauchi State Chapter is a coalition of different civil society organizations working towards improving good health and nutrition in Bauchi. And deemed it fit to start with the office of the Head of Civil Service, which is the mother ministry of all ministries in the state.
Mrs. Maureen appreciated the Head of Service for honoring the invitation and the usual support from the office.
Presenting the advocacy messages, Mrs. Dinah Daniel Istifanus explained that the purpose of the visit was to advocate for support on three basic issues: creating a budget line for nutrition, crèche space, and six months' maternity leave for nursing mothers.
She recalled that the state government had already approved four months of maternity leave, but solicited for an additional two months to make it six months in total.
Responding, the Head of Service, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, thanked CS-SUNN for the visit.
He said the Head of Service is willing to work with civil society organizations towards strengthening the activities of the civil service in the state. He added, "We had your request, and I promise you that I would follow up with the Head of Service when he returns, and I believe that something would be done in that regard."
One of the directors in the ministry asked questions about how to get a budget line on nutrition in the ministry, and CS-SUNN representatives provided clear explanations. NNL.
