Key stakeholders, including the Integrated Child Survival Advocacy at the Last Mile (ICSA) Project supported by the Gates Foundation and the Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative, have reiterated their dedication to improving child survival outcomes in Kebbi State.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the Integrated Child Survival Advocacy (ICSA) Project held in Birnin Kebbi, the Executive Director of Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Fatima Adamu, stressed that progress in child survival across the state would depend largely on the effective implementation of agreed action plans.

According to her, the initiative is structured to strengthen child survival through close collaboration with relevant government ministries and development partners. She explained that the meeting was convened to formally introduce the project and mobilise collective support for its smooth and impactful execution.

Dr. Adamu described the gathering as a significant milestone toward enhancing child survival and healthcare delivery in Kebbi State, expressing confidence in the stakeholders’ shared commitment to achieving the objectives of the ICSA Project. She added that development partners are working to ensure alignment in policy direction, funding, service delivery and accountability, while reinforcing community-level actions aimed at reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.

She further noted that, in partnership with civil society organisations CWINS and ACOMIN, the project is promoting advocacy efforts that translate health policies into practical action, particularly in strengthening immunisation, malaria prevention, nutrition services and primary healthcare at the grassroots level. She added that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda and supports community-driven accountability toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the meeting and Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Sama’ila Yakubu Augie, represented by the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Jibril Labbo Gwandu, reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to supporting the project in addressing malaria, malnutrition, maternal health issues and childbirth complications across the state.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Garba Dutsinmari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Muhammad Maikurata, pledged the ministry’s full support for the successful implementation of the initiative.