New CS-SUNN Kaduna Leaders Take Charge, Vow to Ramp Up Nutrition Fight
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Chapter of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria has elected a new executive committee, ushering in fresh leadership with a strong mandate to intensify the fight against malnutrition across the state.
The election, held during the 2026 first quarterly congress, saw Celestina Ngare Ayim emerge as State Coordinator to lead the network for the next three years.
Other members of the new executive include Funmilayo Adeoye as Secretary; Stephen Odawn (Advocacy); Aisha Haruna Isa (Capacity Building); Rukayya Salihu Umar (Partnership and Collaboration); Mendie Jeremiah (Research and Policy); and Elizabeth David Hassan (Resource Mobilization).
In a rousing acceptance speech, Ayim made it clear that her leadership will be driven by results, collaboration, and urgency.
“This mandate is not just a position—it is a call to service, leadership, and impact,” she declared.
She rolled out a bold agenda focused on stronger coordination among members, aggressive advocacy for increased nutrition funding, and data-driven interventions to deliver measurable results.
With malnutrition still a major concern, Ayim stressed that the stakes are high.
“Nutrition is the foundation of health, productivity, and development. We must remain committed, proactive, and united,” she said.
Earlier, outgoing State Coordinator, Jessica Bartholomew, highlighted key achievements recorded under her watch, including stronger civil society engagement, improved collaboration with government, and rising awareness of nutrition issues.
Despite challenges such as funding gaps and weak coordination at the start of her tenure, she said the chapter succeeded in repositioning nutrition as a development priority in Kaduna State.
“The progress we have made is a collective achievement,” she noted, urging the new leadership to sustain momentum and deepen impact.
Chairman of the election committee, Silas Ideva, underscored the significance of the moment, describing the transition as a test of the network’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He charged members to prioritize competence, integrity, and vision in choosing leaders capable of taking the chapter to the next level.
With a new team in place, expectations are mounting for a more aggressive push on advocacy, partnerships, and resource mobilisation to tackle malnutrition, especially among women and children.
The message from the congress was unmistakable: the time for stronger action is now and the new CS-SUNN Kaduna leadership is stepping up to the challenge.
