From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The New Chief of UNICEF field office Kano Mr. Shafeeq Ur Rehman, on Friday paid a courtesy visit to Jigawa State governor Malam Umar Namadi in his office at government House Dutse.
He explained that, the purpose of the visit is to introduce himself as New Chief of UNICEF field office Kano, covering Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina as well as to reintreated UNICEF’s commitments towards improving the life of children, women and vulnerable groups in the state.
Mr Rehman who Commended Jigawa State government under the leadership of Malam Umar Namadi for taken a lead in the country on areas like Open Defecation Free State (ODF), MASAKI Nutrition programmes, timely release of nutrition funds, and many other Initiatives aimed to protect and improve the life of children.
“UNICEF commended Jigawa State government for prioritizing some of the big development issues into it’s agenda that Unicef is supporting technically and in other ways, the State still maintaining a lead position in Open Defecation Free State (ODF) and we will keep working together to sustain it”, he said.
He then assured continue Partnership with Jigawa State government to improve Nutrition, social protection, child protection, child rights to education among many other children welfare.
While responding to the team, the state governor Malam Umar Namadi appreciated the visit and welcome the new Chief of UNICEF field office Kano,
He also acknowledged the , UNICEF engagement with Jigawa State government on children’s protection, supporting women and other vulnerable groups across the state.
The governor who described the assumption of new Chief of UNICEF field office Kano as new moment for the state said, for more than decades around 1991, UNICEF is supporting Jigawa from the level of assistance Upto partnership on different developmental issues.
“The Partnership of Jigawa State with UNICEF recorded a huge progress, in areas like Health, Nutrition, education, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Children and Social Protection and Social Policies including monitoring and evaluation which is align to our strategic plan and greater Jigawa vision.
“Your arrival as new Chief of UNICEF field officer, followed a recent conveyed Northwest high level policy dialogue in Kano, articulated and promoted by UNICEF under activities of Northwest governors Forum aimed to reduce multi-dimentional poverty and strengthen social protection system”, he said.
Governor Namadi then, urged UNICEF to continue partnering Jigawa as the state recorded a lot of success in addressing multi-dimentional poverty, improve health and nutrition, addressing Out of Schools children challenges, improving Water Sanitation and Hygiene.
