UNICEF hails Jigawa gov’t for sustained investments in healthcare, education

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has hailed the Jigawa state government for its sustained investments in healthcare, education, nutrition, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and other human development initiatives.

The international body made this known when the Kano Zonal Head of the UNICEF Field Office, Mr. Shafeeq Ur-Rehman paid the Jigawa state Governor, Malam Umar Namadi a courtesy visit at the Government House, Dutse.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Shafeeq Ur-Rehman explained that the engagement was his first official visit since assuming office as the head of the UNICEF Kano Field Office, which coordinates UNICEF’s programmes and operations across Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina States.

He commended the Jigawa State Government for its unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of children and families, noting that the state has consistently distinguished itself.

In his remarks, Governor Umar Namadi warmly welcomed Mr. Shafeeq Ur-Rehman to Jigawa State and congratulated him on his well-deserved appointment as the Kano Zonal Head of UNICEF.

The Governor expressed confidence that his leadership would further strengthen the longstanding partnership between UNICEF and the governments under the Kano Field Office.

Governor Namadi described the relationship between Jigawa State and UNICEF as one that spans several decades, built on mutual trust, shared values, and a common commitment to improving the lives of children, women, and vulnerable communities.

He acknowledged UNICEF’s invaluable support in advancing the state’s development agenda across its core intervention areas, including quality education, primary healthcare, nutrition, child protection, social policy, WASH, and community development.

The Governor reaffirmed Jigawa State’s commitment to sustaining its status as an Open Defecation Free (ODF) leading state and highlighted the remarkable progress recorded through collaborative initiatives such as the Masaki Nutrition Programme and other nutrition-sensitive interventions aimed at tackling child malnutrition and improving maternal and child health outcomes.

He further appreciated UNICEF’s continued technical and financial support in implementing impactful social programmes across the state, assuring the organization of his administration’s unwavering commitment to deepening the existing partnership in pursuit of better health, education, protection, and opportunities for every child in Jigawa State.