Namadi Advocates for UNICEF Partnership in Jigawa

Malam Umar Namadi, the Governor of Jigawa State, called for a stronger collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to advance child welfare and social protection in the state. This call was made during a courtesy visit from Mr. Shafeeq Ur Rehman, the newly appointed Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, on Friday.

Governor Namadi noted that UNICEF has been a partner in Jigawa for three decades since the state's creation in 1991, contributing to progress in health, nutrition, basic education, water, sanitation, hygiene, child protection, and social policies. He emphasized that the partnership aligns with the administration's 12-point agenda.

Mr. Shafeeq Ur Rehman commended Governor Namadi's leadership and highlighted Jigawa's innovative approaches, which could be replicated across Nigeria. He praised the state for becoming Nigeria's first Open Defecation Free (ODF) state and for pioneering community-led nutrition projects.

The UNICEF Chief reaffirmed the organization's commitment to ensuring that child welfare remains a priority in the upcoming Nigeria Country Programme covering 2028 to 2032.