Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa state, has said that the state has earmarked over over N90 billion, about 16 per cent of it’s capital investment in the 2025 approved budget, to social welfare.
Namadi made this known on Thursday, while the signing of Multi Year Work Plan for the period 2025–2027, between the state government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Namadi explained that the earmarked sum will also cover women protection, water and sanitation, as well as primary healthcare and basic education.
He said that the partnership between Jigawa and thethe UNICEF, has always been productive and inclusively beneficial to people and in particular, for the protection, survival and development of children and women in the State.
“The collaboration between UNICEF and some of our MDAs, resulted in the three-year rolling plan and it testifies to the strong and dynamic partnership between UNICEF and the Jigawa State government,” Namadi said.
UNICEF he said, is the oldest Development Partner that has consistently supported Jigawa State since its creation 1991.
“All these years, UNICEF uses its own budgetary resources to support our development efforts, while we also mobilize resources from other development Partners, to contribute to the development of our state.
“Over the years, the efforts have continued to produce positive and lasting impacts on the various spheres of economic, social and human development sectors in the State,” said the Governor.
According to Namadi, the state is making a steady progress, despite persisting challenges, saying that it is evident from the latest National Demographic and Health Survey Results.
“As we sign the three-year multi-year work plan, let me reiterate the commitment of the our government to its total implementation, we are confident that together we will deliver the expected outcome,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Namadi urged all MDAs involved in the conception of the multi-year work plan, to ensure its effective implementation.
He ordered for a bi-annual joint implementation report of the work plan, under the coordination of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
This he stressed, would enable the partnership, to measure performance and take proactive measures in addressing challenges and ensure implementation is on track.
Earlier, Mr. Rahama Mohammed-Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, said the Multi-year Workplan is a demonstration of UNICEF’s continuing collaboration and the strong partnership with Jigawa state.
Jigawa state he said, has over the years demonstrated strong commitment to the partnership with UNICEF and the commitment has further been strengthened under the present admadministration.
The commitment he said, is evident in the allocation of resources to programmes that impact the lives of children and women, especially in the sectors of health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.
“The signing of this workplan therefore, formalizes yet again our partnership that holds immense promise for the children and families of Jigawa state.
“This Workplan is not just a document, it is a testament to our shared vision for a brighter future for every child in Jigawa state,” Mohammed-Farrah said.
The plan he explained, envisions ambitious targets and outcomes for which resources need to be mobilized.
According to him, Jigawa state government is expected to contribute its share as counterpart funding, to achieve and sustain the planned results.
UNICEF he said, acknowledges the current realities of dwindling global donor funding and hence the significance of the government contribution.
The Chief highlighted that the economic challenges facing the world today, has placed significant pressure on international resources.
This he said, has made it imperative to explore innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms, to ensure the continuity and scalability of our programmes.
He thus called on 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.
By prioritizing investments in these sectors, the state can build resilient systems that are less dependent on external funding and more responsive to the needs of its people.
