By Umar Kachalla Gujiba, Caleb Eselema Odonye

The ICHSSA-3 project has made significant progress in Yobe State since its inception in November, 2022. Implementation spans 5 LGAs (Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Potiskum and Nangere) with 11,286 active beneficiaries including 196 CALHIV, 4,038 Adolescents at Risk and 2,127 Caregivers in 2,034 Households.

SFH Management continues to monitor this strategic expansion of the project in the new implementing states – Yobe inclusive. A Team comprising the HIV/TB and Social Protection Technical Lead, Mr Godpower Omoregie, the ICHSSA-3 Chief of Party, Mrs Halima Nuhu Dikko and the Director of Programmes, Dr Felicia Mairiga recognised the dedication, determination and commitment of our local CSO partner – Communal Conservation Friendly Health And Social Development Support Initiative (COCOSOHDI) in ensuring that our OVC beneficiaries continue to receive quality services that are children-centred and designed to meet specific household needs. This is to ensure viral load suppression and epidemic control while preventing new HIV cases or infections.

This supervisory visit highlighted interactions with CSO Programme Officers, Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) to CALHIV households on the unconditional Cash Transfer Programme (CTP) and observations of Preventive Intervention Sessions for Caregivers and their Teens promoting positive parenting. The Team was impressed with field observations and provided feedback for improvement.

The CSO Leadership appreciated the visit and promised enhanced adherence to quality programme delivery and reporting. The Programme Manager of COCOHSODI, Mohammed Maikudi Yau provided implementation updates with key achievements and indicated areas of improvement while requesting increased funding for Household Economic Strengthening, Food and Nutrition Support and local transport for Case Workers and Programme Officers to conduct household visits and effectively monitor programme activities based on current economic realities.

The Executive Director of COCOHSODI, Sheriff Kura Ibrahim affirmed, “The expansion of a project into new locations increases access to basic services and builds local capacity and effectiveness”. He thanked the ICHSSA-3 project’s recent capacity-building workshops that have continued to enhance the knowledge and skills of organisational staff to perform their duties.

Mr Godpower Omoregie reiterated that “SFH is always planning ahead with a review of its strategic plan (2024-2030) and local partners (CSOs) are finding it easier to provide community-level interventions that are impactful”.

“One endeavor we intend to grow well is building sustainable partnerships for the future” he further stated and gave the assurance that SFH will continue to maintain open communication channels to improve collaboration, prompt decision making and effectiveness.

The visiting team acknowledged the good work being done in the state and promised to address the challenges mentioned and replicate some of the best practices and lessons learnt especially on the Preventive Intervention into existing projects. The supportive supervision was very impactful and will go a long way in enhancing productivity and reaffirming commitment to better results in the state.