From: Femi Mustapha
Community volunteers inducted into ward-level aid diversion taskforce committees in Kaduna have pledged to safeguard nutrition commodities from diversion and misuse as the state intensifies efforts to secure supplies meant for vulnerable children.
The volunteers made this pledge on Thursday during an inauguration and orientation program designed to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability in the distribution of nutrition and other medical supplies. The initiative, organized by the Kaduna State government in partnership with UNICEF, covered all 23 local government areas in the state.
Taskforce committees were also introduced at both state and local levels to oversee and coordinate supply chain activities.
At the ward-level inauguration in Zaria LGA, Fatima Dahiru, a community volunteer at Centerayin Sarki Primary Health Care Center in Tudun Wada, said the training would boost nutrition support for vulnerable children. She explained that proper monitoring of nutrition commodities would ensure children suffering from malnutrition and other health issues receive adequate care and support for healthy feeding.
Dahiru added that the knowledge gained would also help volunteers educate caregivers on proper nutrition and healthy feeding practices.
Another volunteer, Dauda Yarima of Centerre Primary Health Care Centre in Lere LGA, pledged to support efforts to prevent the diversion of nutrition commodities. He stated that volunteers would monitor activities within communities, hospitals, pharmacies, and markets to identify illegally diverted government supplies. “Any individual found selling nutrition commodities meant for beneficiaries will be reported to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” he said.
Danboyi Mutumi, a volunteer from Kajuru LGA, praised the state government for prioritizing children’s welfare. He committed to raising awareness among women in his community about the importance of attending antenatal care programs to promote healthy child development.
Hannatu Rabiu of Birnin Gwari LGA said the orientation refreshed her understanding of her responsibilities. She promised to ensure the proper use of nutrition commodities in her community.
Muhammad Tukur, Assistant Director of the Nutrition Department at the Kaduna Primary Health Care Board, said the volunteers were carefully selected for their strong community presence and proximity to health facilities. He explained that they interact directly with residents and are strategically positioned to monitor the distribution and use of nutrition supplies at the grassroots level.
Tukur added that the task force was created to track the diversion of nutrition commodities procured by the government and development partners for free distribution. “Investigations reveal that some nutrition commodities do not reach the intended beneficiaries at the grassroots level,” he noted. He urged the volunteers to perform their duties with integrity, trust, and dedication to protect vulnerable children and communities.
Chinwe Ezeife, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office Nutrition Specialist, said the ward-level taskforce committees include ward development committees and selected community volunteers. She described the volunteers as vital stakeholders in preventing diversion and ensuring accountability in last-mile distribution.
According to Ezeife, the volunteers will oversee the supply chain from health facilities to households, conduct end-user monitoring, and verify that targeted caregivers and children receive the commodities properly. She mentioned that about 164 ward-level committee members across the 23 LGAs had been trained to support weekly monitoring and accountability efforts.
Ezeife expressed optimism that this initiative would further boost transparency, accountability, and the effective delivery of life-saving nutrition programs across Kaduna State.
