By Muyideen Aliyu

The Kwara State Government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to strengthen the capacity of Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, as well as Programme Desk Officers, across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

This initiative aims to promote accountability, transparency, and effective service delivery through the continuous capacity development of public officers.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Mary Ronke Arinde, during a capacity-building workshop on Results-Based Management (RBM) Reporting and Effective Data Management and Monitoring in Ilorin.

The workshop, organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the UNFPA, is designed to equip Programme Desk Officers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, and other relevant stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required to effectively plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and report development programmes in line with global best practices.

R-L: Youth Representative, Ms. Khadijat Yaqub; State Coordinator, UNFPA, Mallam Abubakar Zakariyahu; Representative of Executive Secretary KWSPHCDA, Dr (Mrs) Medinat Olaosebikan; Resource Person from UNFPA, Etimita Nnanke; State Focal Person, UNFPA, Mrs Gloria Enueze; Honourable Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr (Mrs) Mary Ronke Arinde; Resource Person, UNFPA, Mr Yusuf Bello; State Director of Planning, Alh. Ibrahim Barka; M & E Officer, KWSPHCDA, Mr Stephen Okedare; Representative of RHHF, Mr Ogundele Olusegun in a group photograph at the workshop today.
R-L: Youth Representative, Ms. Khadijat Yaqub; State Coordinator, UNFPA, Mallam Abubakar Zakariyahu; Representative of Executive Secretary KWSPHCDA, Dr (Mrs) Medinat Olaosebikan; Resource Person from UNFPA, Etimita Nnanke; State Focal Person, UNFPA, Mrs Gloria Enueze; Honourable Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr (Mrs) Mary Ronke Arinde; Resource Person, UNFPA, Mr Yusuf Bello; State Director of Planning, Alh. Ibrahim Barka; M & E Officer, KWSPHCDA, Mr Stephen Okedare; Representative of RHHF, Mr Ogundele Olusegun in a group photograph at the workshop today.

Arinde described the training as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing programme implementation across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

According to her, “Results-Based Management has become an essential framework for ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and measurable outcomes in governance, especially at a time when citizens increasingly demand transparency and value for public resources.”

She emphasised that reliable data management and effective monitoring mechanisms are fundamental to evidence-based planning and informed decision-making, noting that accurate and timely data remain critical for the formulation of sound policies, efficient resource allocation, and the successful implementation of government programmes.

The Commissioner lauded the UNFPA for its continued partnership and unwavering support toward the realisation of the state government’s development objectives, describing the collaboration as a testament to the shared commitment of both organisations.

She said the programme would strengthen governance, build human capacity, and advance sustainable development in the state.

The Commissioner also urged the stakeholders to maximize the opportunity by actively engaging in all sessions and applying the knowledge acquired to improve performance within their respective MDAs, thereby fostering a culture of results, innovation, professionalism, and continuous learning in the discharge of their duties.

Earlier, the UNFPA State Focal Person, Mrs. Gloria Enueze, commended the state government for strengthening the partnership between the state and the organisation.

Enueze said that capacity development and institutional strengthening initiatives are crucial to achieving sustainable development goals and improving governance outcomes.

She assured that the UNFPA would continue to support and collaborate in areas that enhance development planning, monitoring, evaluation, and overall programme effectiveness.