Save the Children International, under its BOOST Project supported by GSK, in collaboration with the Kano State Community of Practice on Immunization, Budget Tracking, Advocacy, and Accountability (KN CoP), has organized an orientation for the Kano State Advocacy Group on advocacy briefs.
The event, held in Kano, recorded a large turnout of CoP members drawn from civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media.
Speaking at the session, the State Team Lead of the BOOST Project in Kano, Abdullahi Magama, stressed the need for participants to develop effective strategies to ensure successful advocacy toward improving immunisation uptake.
He noted that the initiative focuses on identifying existing gaps and strengthening advocacy efforts to enhance immunisation coverage.
Magama explained that the project, which commenced full implementation in January 2024 and is expected to run until December 2027, is currently being implemented in Gezawa Local Government Area and Ungogo Local Government Area. He emphasized the need for increased government support to complement declining donor funding, particularly in reaching hard-to-reach communities.
Also speaking, the BOOST Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, highlighted the importance of effectively utilizing the advocacy briefs to achieve desired outcomes.
He added that the meeting aimed to review and update the BOOST Project stakeholder mapping tool and sensitize advocacy group members on effective use of the briefs.
“The BOOST Project is an initiative implemented by Save the Children International, with support from GSK, aimed at strengthening routine immunisation systems and eliminating zero-dose children across local government areas in Kano”
On his part, the Co-Chair of the Community of Practice on Accountability, Salisu Yusuf, said the orientation provided a platform to review advocacy briefs and prepare for activities to be implemented at state, local government, and community levels.
He explained that the advocacy would focus on identified high-burden areas within the project’s target LGAs.
According to him, the advocacy efforts will involve key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Management Board, and local government health officials, to obtain relevant information on funding and service delivery.
Yusuf added that the ultimate goal is to significantly reduce the number of zero-dose children across the state.
During the session, participants discussed plans and agreed on strategies for upcoming advocacy visits using the developed briefs.