By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
In a significant step towards promoting inclusive development and good governance in Jigawa State, a three-day program on coalition building and citizen engagement has concluded in Kaduna State.
The program, organized by Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Change Engagement (PACE) with support from UK International Development, brought together over 50 stakeholders from civil society organizations (CSOs), government, private sector, academia, media, and development partners.
The program resulted in the formation of the Jigawa Coalition for Climate Action, Governance, and Economic Empowerment (JC-CAGE), a diverse coalition of stakeholders committed to promoting collective action and advocacy for development in Jigawa State.
The coalition’s priority focus areas include: A long-term change in the average weather patterns that describe the Earth’s local, regional, and global climates. Climate change is primarily driven by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
The ability of individuals, communities, or organizations to improve their economic well-being and quality of life through increased access to resources, skills, and opportunities. Economic empowerment can be achieved through initiatives such as job creation, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.
And a system of programs and policies designed to provide financial support and protection to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income households. Social security aims to reduce poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.
The coalition’s emphasis on these areas reflects the state’s most pressing needs and aims to promote inclusive development and good governance.
The program’s emphasis on citizen engagement and community needs assessments underscores the importance of empowering local communities to take ownership of development initiatives. By integrating community needs assessments into their advocacy and governance frameworks, JC-CAGE aims to ensure that its efforts are responsive to the needs of Jigawa’s citizens.
According to Mr. Muiz Adeniran, PACE State Team Lead, Jigawa, “The coalition’s commitment to inclusivity, participatory leadership, and sustainability will ensure that its efforts are responsive to the needs of Jigawa’s citizens.”
The program’s emphasis on citizen engagement and community needs assessments underscores the importance of empowering local communities to take ownership of development initiatives. By integrating community needs assessments into their advocacy and governance frameworks, the coalition aims to ensure that its efforts are responsive to the needs of Jigawa’s citizens.
“The program has equipped us with the skills and knowledge to design effective advocacy strategies and governance frameworks that prioritize the needs of our communities,” said Fatima Abdulhafiz, a participant. “We are confident that JC-CAGE will make a meaningful impact on the lives of Jigawa’s citizens.”
Dr. James Zasha, a facilitator, added, “We expect JC-CAGE to play a crucial role in addressing Jigawa’s challenges, advancing inclusive development, and ensuring sustainability. The coalition’s commitment to collective action and advocacy is a significant step towards promoting good governance in Jigawa State.”
Gloria Kasance Bulus a consultant who facilitate on the innovative climate project ideas for CSOs, said climate change identification takes over 30 years before getting assured that the climate has change. According to her, climate change do not realized within a year or two.
JC-CAGE’s next steps include refining its advocacy and governance frameworks, attending follow-up training on innovative project development, and mainstreaming climate change across all thematic areas. The coalition is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Jigawa’s citizens, addressing the state’s most pressing challenges and promoting inclusive development.
The district heads of Miga and Kogunan Dutse commended the PACE program for designing a coalition that will address climate change, economic empowerment, and social engagement. “We are excited about the potential impact of JC-CAGE on our communities,” they said.
Habibu Aminu, Deputy Chief Imam of Hadeija, prayed that “the coalition’s efforts be guided by wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to the well-being of Jigawa’s state and beyond.”
As JC-CAGE embarks on its journey to promote inclusive development and good governance in Jigawa State, it is expected to face challenges and opportunities. With its commitment to collective action and advocacy, the coalition is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Jigawa’s citizens. The future looks bright for JC-CAGE, and its potential to drive positive change in Jigawa State is vast.
