By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving child welfare and empowering women through strategic partnerships, as he received a delegation from CARE International and its partners on a courtesy visit to Government House, Dutse.
Speaking during the visit, the governor said the collaboration aligns with his government’s priorities of enhancing the health and nutritional status of children while strengthening the capacity of women across the state.
Namadi noted that the intervention would help address key challenges affecting families, particularly in ensuring access to proper nutrition and promoting healthier living standards.
“We see this initiative as addressing two critical needs ensuring our children are healthy and satisfied, while also empowering women with the right knowledge and skills,” the governor said.
He emphasized that the state government has remained consistent in implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of its citizens, especially vulnerable groups.
“This is a clear demonstration that the government is deeply concerned about the welfare and development of our children. At the same time, we are committed to training and empowering women so they can contribute meaningfully to society,” he added.
The governor further highlighted the importance of technical support being provided by development partners, noting that such expertise would enable women to adopt best practices in food production and nutrition.
“With the technical support we are receiving, our women will be better equipped to do the right things at the right time. This will ensure that whatever they produce meets international best standards,” Namadi stated.
He assured the visiting delegation of the Jigawa State Government’s readiness to fully support the initiative, stressing that any effort aimed at improving the lives of the people would receive maximum cooperation.
“Whatever you are doing in the interest of our people, we are ready to support you 100 percent. We will continue to partner and work closely with you to achieve our shared goals,” he said.
Namadi also expressed appreciation to the organization and its partners for their continued support, pledging sustained collaboration to ensure the success of programmes targeted at children and women.
“We are committed to working with you and providing the necessary support to ensure the development of our children and the wellbeing of our communities,” he assured.
Earlier, the Country Deputy Director of CARE International, who spoke on behalf of the Country Director, Dr. Hosseini Abdu, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen existing ties with the Jigawa State Government.
She commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for development partners to operate, noting that such cooperation has been instrumental in advancing developmental initiatives.
“It is our honour to be received today. We thank Your Excellency and the people of Jigawa State for allowing us to partner with you in the development of the state,” she said.
According to her, CARE International, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), is implementing a five-year project funded by the Government of the Netherlands aimed at improving nutrition, particularly among women.
“The project is designed to empower the people of Jigawa State, especially women, to improve their nutritional status and adopt healthier practices,” she explained.
She added that the delegation included representatives from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chief Executive of CARE Netherlands, and other development partners, underscoring the international significance of the initiative.
The visit marks another milestone in Jigawa State’s efforts to leverage partnerships with global organizations to drive sustainable development, improve public health outcomes, and enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens.
