JIGAWA STATE GOVERNMENT PARTNERS WITH UNICEF ON MULTI-YEAR PLAN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S WELFARE
The Jigawa State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have officially signed a multi-year work plan (2025-2027) aimed at advancing the protection, survival, and development of children and women in the state.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Dutse, was attended by Governor Mallam Umar Namadi and Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, alongside other dignitaries.
The plan sets big goals and outcomes that will require a lot of resources while the Jigawa State Government is expected to provide its fair share of funding to help reach and maintain the goals in the three areas of water and sanitation, education, economic empowerment, and wealth creation.
In his remarks, Governor Namadi emphasized the long-standing partnership between Jigawa State and UNICEF, highlighting the organization’s consistent support since the state’s creation in 1991.
“As I have always observed, UNICEF is the oldest development partner that has continuously supported Jigawa State since its creation in 1991—that is over a third of a century ago,” Governor Namadi stated.
He expressed his appreciation for UNICEF’s commitment to mobilizing resources and implementing programmes that have positively impacted various sectors while pledging Jigawa’s commitment to full implementation.
“As we sign the three-year multi-year work plan, let me reiterate the commitment of the Jigawa State Government to its total implementation, being confident that together we would be able to deliver the expected outcome it is intended to achieve. That is a situation where every child in Jigawa State has the opportunity to be protected to survive, to thrive, to be educated, and to develop his or her full potential within an economically empowered family and a friendly environment.”
The new work plan, said Governor Namadi, aligns with Jigawa State’s 12-Point Agenda and UNICEF’s Country Programme of Cooperation, focusing on essential areas such as basic education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection, and social policy. Governor Namadi reiterated the state’s commitment to providing the necessary implementation environment, including policy reforms, financing, and coordination mechanisms, to maximize the impact of the work plan.
Also, in his remarks, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah commended the Jigawa State Government for its continued dedication to improving the well-being of children and women, noting that while global donor funding is dwindling, Jigawa State has demonstrated innovation in its approach to development, citing initiatives such as Masaki and Jakadan Lafiya in the nutrition and health sectors.
“The signing of this work plan therefore formalizes yet again our partnership that holds immense promise for the children and families of Jigawa State,” he said, urging the state government to increase domestic resource allocation for critical sectors to ensure sustainability and reduce dependence on external funding.
As part of carrying out the work plan, Governor Namadi told all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to make sure it was carried out well. The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would be in charge of coordinating joint performance reports every six months.
Hamisu Mohammed Gumel
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State.March 13, 2025