By: Femi Mustapha
The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Kaduna State Chapter, has elected a new executive committee, with Celestina Ngare Ayim emerging as the new State Coordinator to lead the network for the next three years.
The election, held during the first-quarter congress of 2026, marked a significant leadership transition as Ayim succeeded outgoing Coordinator Jessica Bartholomew. In her acceptance speech, Ayim pledged to lead with results, collaboration, and urgency, emphasizing that her mandate is a call to service, leadership, and impact.
“I am committed to strengthening coordination among members, advocating for increased nutrition funding, and delivering measurable results through data-driven interventions,” Ayim stated. She highlighted that malnutrition remains a major concern and that the stakes are high, adding that “nutrition is the foundation of health, productivity, and development.”
Bartholomew, who pointed out key achievements during her tenure, noted that the chapter has made significant progress in repositioning nutrition as a development priority in Kaduna State. She mentioned stronger civil society engagement, improved collaboration with the government, and increased awareness of nutrition issues as notable accomplishments.
The outgoing Coordinator urged the new leadership to maintain momentum and deepen impact, emphasizing that the progress made is a collective achievement. Silas Ideva, Chairman of the election committee, stressed the importance of the transition, describing it as a test of the network’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The new executive committee, which includes Funmilayo Adeoye as Secretary and representatives in advocacy, capacity building, partnership, research, and resource mobilization, is expected to adopt a more aggressive approach to tackling malnutrition, especially among women and children.
The message from the congress was clear: the time for stronger action is now, and the new CS-SUNN Kaduna leadership is ready to meet the challenge. With a focus on collaboration, advocacy, and resource mobilization, the network is positioned to make a meaningful impact in the fight against malnutrition in Kaduna State.
