By Umar Akilu Majeri Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has signed an MOU with UNICEF on a Multi-Year Work Plan for 2025 to 2027.
During the signing of the memorandum of understanding, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi acknowledged that UNICEF is the oldest development partner that has consistently supported Jigawa State since its creation in 1991 — over a third of a century ago.
Over the years, UNICEF has used its own budgetary resources to support the state’s development efforts and has also mobilized resources from other development partners to contribute to Jigawa State’s growth. These contributions have led to positive and lasting impacts across various sectors of economic, social, and human development in the state.
The governor commended the UNICEF Field Office, under the leadership of Mr. Rahama, who led a delegation of “high-level donors” to the Child Nutrition Fund from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the United Kingdom to Jigawa State.
The governor expressed regret for not being able to personally meet the delegation but extended his deep appreciation to UNICEF for bringing the high-level team to Jigawa State to observe firsthand the collaborative efforts towards improving child nutrition and preventing all forms of malnutrition in the state.
Despite ongoing challenges, the governor emphasized that steady progress is being made, with joint efforts yielding results, as evidenced by the latest National Demographic and Health Survey.
The governor promised to continue working diligently with UNICEF to ensure better nutritional security for children, while also implementing the state’s nutrition policy developed with UNICEF’s support.
In his remarks, the UNICEF field officer in charge of the Kano and Jigawa offices, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed, who signed the agreement on behalf of UNICEF, stated that the plan signifies the continued strong partnership between UNICEF and the Jigawa State Government.
Mr. Rahama noted that the projects have had a direct impact on children and women, particularly in the sectors of health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene. He further explained that the signing of the work plan formalizes the partnership, holding immense promise for the children and families of Jigawa State.
He expressed gratitude to the Jigawa State Governor and his team for their unwavering commitment to programs aimed at improving the welfare of the state’s children. Mr. Rahama urged the governor to continue the partnership with UNICEF, marking the event as a significant milestone in the state’s development.
The comprehensive framework of the work plan will guide collective efforts in health, nutrition, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), education, child protection, and social policy. Mr. Rahama emphasized that the work plan is not just a document but a testament to their shared vision for a brighter future for every child in Jigawa State.
The plan sets ambitious targets, requiring resources to be mobilized, with the Jigawa State Government expected to contribute its share of counterpart funding to achieve and sustain the planned results.
While acknowledging the progress made, Mr. Rahama pointed out the current realities of dwindling global donor funding, underscoring the importance of the government’s contribution.
He urged the Jigawa State Government to consider increasing the allocation of domestic resources to the critical sectors of health, nutrition, education, WASH, child protection, and social protection. Prioritizing investments in these sectors will help build resilient systems that are less dependent on external funding and more responsive to the needs of the people.
He also commended the innovative approaches demonstrated by the Jigawa State Government, such as the Masaki and Jakadan Lafiya (Health Ambassadors) programs in the nutrition and health sectors, respectively. These initiatives will help bridge funding gaps caused by decreasing donor-supported interventions and position Jigawa State at the forefront of its development goals.
Mr. Rahama emphasized that investing in the wellbeing of children is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic decision that will yield long-term benefits for the state’s development.
He also noted that polio remains a significant health threat to children in Jigawa State, and eradicating polio must be UNICEF’s top priority in 2025. UNICEF is committed to mobilizing communities, raising awareness, and ensuring that every part of Jigawa is reached to encourage parents to vaccinate their children.
UNICEF urged the government to leverage its own resources, explore public-private partnerships, and strengthen community-based initiatives to ensure no child is left behind. UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Jigawa State Government in this endeavor, continuing to provide technical assistance, mobilize resources where possible, and advocate for the rights of every child.
