Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strengthened its long-standing partnership with the Jigawa State Government by signing a three-year work plan aimed at advancing the protection, survival, and development of children and women in the state.
The agreement, covering 2025 to 2027, was signed on Thursday at the Government House in Dutse between the Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, and Governor Mallam Umar Namadi.
Speaking at the event, Farah commended the Jigawa State Government for its sustained commitment to improving the well-being of children and women despite dwindling global donor funding. He praised the state’s innovative approach to development, citing programs like Masaki and Jakadan Lafiya in the nutrition and health sectors as examples of strategic initiatives that have yielded positive results.
“To ensure sustainability and reduce dependence on external funding, I urge the state government to increase domestic resource allocation for critical sectors,” Farah stated.
Governor Namadi, in his remarks, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fulfilling its part of the agreement, emphasizing Jigawa’s commitment to providing funding for key areas such as water and sanitation, education, economic empowerment, and wealth creation.
“The plan sets ambitious goals and outcomes that require significant resources,” the governor noted. “UNICEF has been our trusted development partner since the state’s creation in 1991, and we appreciate their continued support in mobilizing resources for impactful programs.”
Namadi pledged full implementation of the work plan, envisioning a future where every child in Jigawa State can thrive in a secure and supportive environment.
Stakeholders have hailed the agreement as a significant step toward sustainable development, expressing optimism that, if properly executed, it will bring substantial progress in education, health, and economic empowerment across Jigawa State.
