SCI-Gates Anchor IV Grant: Stakeholders Validates Proof of Influence in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Following the successful completion of the Gates Advocacy Anchor IV Grant implemented by Save the Children International (SCI), in Kaduna State, stakeholders on Thursday, reviewed and validated the proof of influence of the project.

The project which has been in Kaduna in the last for four years built on and achieved significant milestones from the previous Anchor III grant for nutrition advocacy intervention both funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with Health as an additional focus area.

The aim of the grant has been to support a conducive enabling policy environment, domestic resource mobilization as well as strengthen accountability processes for citizens to influence health and nutrition financing through evidence-based advocacy.

The Grant IV which will end this March 2025, had two-day (7th-8th February 2025) Gates Stakeholders write-shop to document proof of influence of the Gates intervention in the last 4 years.

The validation meeting with critical stakeholders in was to confirm the milestones achieved including lessons learnt with challenges encountered, explore sustainability options and initiate plans for the project closeout.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Sunday, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, while appreciating SCI, note that their support has really helped in improving the health status of citizens of the State and the Country at large.

He said the experience and lessons learnt from the Gates Grant is helping the state to reshape the narratives in the health sector.

Welcoming participants who were drawn from both state and federal health agencies and ministry, civil society, Ward Development Committee, and the media, Ekene Innocent Ifedilichukwu, the Advocacy, Campaign and Policy Manager, Survive-Gates IV Grant SCI, thank the stakeholders for supporting the project for the inception.

He attributes the success of the project to the collective commitment to everyone who has contributed in one way or the other, noting that the essence of the meeting was to present what SCI has done with the grant.