By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated 1,250 cartons of cholera prevention and hygiene dignity kits to flood victims in Jigawa State.
The distribution, aimed at assisting Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, took place in Tsakuwawa village, facilitated by Malam Kamaladdin Ahmad of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
According to Ahmad, the donation comprises 750 cartons of cholera prevention kits and 500 hygiene dignity kits, specifically tailored for those residing in IDP camps.
However, he explained that the flood victims living with relatives or who have returned home will not benefit from the distribution.
He indicated that each kit contains essential items such as soap, sanitary pads, water treatment materials, and other hygiene supplies.

Speaking during the distribution in Miga Local Government Area, Ahmad stated, “UNICEF has supported the Jigawa state government with cholera prevention and sanitation kits to assist the flood victims.”
He emphasized that the donations are intended only for victims residing in IDP camps across 18 local government areas.
He explained, “We have already begun distributing these items to the targeted beneficiaries in the IDP camps.
“This is the seventh local government area we’ve reached after covering Auyo, Buji, Kiyawa, Kafin Hausa, Gagarawa, and Jahun.”

The deputy director noted that the kits are vital for ensuring proper hygiene and environmental sanitation in the affected communities.
“Each kit is equipped with materials to help maintain personal hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases, particularly cholera, among displaced households.”

Ahmad assured that RUWASSA would continue to follow up on IDP camps in the remaining local government areas to ensure every affected family receives the necessary support.

According to him, the initiative is part of UNICEF’s continued efforts to assist communities affected by the recent flood disaster, helping prevent the outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Jigawa State.

From Ahmed Rufa’i

In an effort to address the issue of out-of-school children, the Jigawa State House of Assembly has signed an agreement with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 42% by the first quarter of 2025.

The state government, local government areas, and stakeholders in the education industry are working together to achieve the goal.
The partnership aims to increase school enrollment and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the State, which is currently ranked eighth among states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The agreement was reached during an interactive session with stakeholders to plan a school enrollment campaign across the 30 constituencies in Jigawa State.
The session aimed to develop an accelerated plan to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.

With the support of the European Union, UNICEF, and the state government, the campaign aims to ensure that every child in Jigawa State has access to quality education. The state government has allocated 32% of its 2024 budget to education, surpassing the UN benchmark.

Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, mothers’ associations, and education sector representatives, have pledged their support for the campaign.
The success of the initiative will have a significant impact on the future of children in Jigawa State and serve as a model for other states to follow.

The UNICEF Kano field office education specialist, Mr Muttaqa Muktar Muhammad who gave the insight during an interactive session with relevant stakeholders in the education industry to plan a drive on school enrollment campaign across the 30 constituencies organization by the UNICEF supposed to European Union.

Mr Muhammad noted that “Jigawa state Universal Basic Education Board in collaboration with UNICEF held an interactive session with relevant stakeholders in the education industry to plan a drive on school enrollment campaign across the 30 constituencies.

According to the UNICEF representative stated further that “education is a right to every child as guaranteed by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, hence the need for concerted effort by all stakeholders to ensure every child is carried along”.

He commended Jigawa State Government for allocating 32 percent of its annual budget to educational which according to him had surpass the UN bench mark.

“Jigawa state government is investing huge resources to see that children benefit from education. You know that 32 percent of the 2024 budget was allocated to education.
“We are glad to have a very strong partnership with the 30 members of the Jigawa state house of Assembly”.

“Just last week on the 7th precisely we held a commitment meeting with all of them where they all agreed to reduce our of schools children by 42 percent in their respective constituencies.
Each of them signed a commitment with UNICEF to reduce the number of our-of-school children in their various constituencies, this is great.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of Jigawa State Universal Basic education Board, professor, Haruna  Musa pointed out  that the intention is to discuss on issues bordering on out-of-school children syndrome which Jigawa is rated among the seven states mostly affected by the challenge.

He said that the forum will develop and agree on accelerated plan for mitigating the menace in the State

In his remarks, Chairman House committee on education and member of House of Representatives, Gwaram constituency, Ado Yakubu Zandam pledge the support of the legislature to ensuring there is huge success in the school’s enrollment across their respective constituencies.

He noted that, the issue of out-of-school children has remained a source of concern among parents and the Government.

Also commenting on behalf of the royal fathers, the Sarkin kudu Gumel ,Alhaji Bala Mohammed  stressed the need for intensive  enlightenment campaigns to all nooks and cranies of the state to reawaken parents on the  to enroll their wards into schools.

Presentation from various stakeholders were made on the implication of out-of-school children and the way forward during the meeting.
  

Governor Umar Namadi ofJigawa State, has launched a relief package worth N315.5 million to support 15,775 flood victims in 20 affected local government areas.

The package includes cash assistance and food items, such as rice, maize, guinea-corn, and spaghetti, aimed at easing the hardship faced by the displaced persons.

Governor Namadi, while flagging off the distribution in Kiyawa town, emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting the flood victims, saying, “We are concerned about the situation of the flood victims and will continue to support them.”

Each affected household will receive N20,000 cash and a package of food items, totaling 10kg of rice, maize, guinea-corn, and a carton of spaghetti.

This relief effort is part of the state government’s response to the flood disaster, aimed at providing succor to those affected and supporting their recovery.
“Today we are flagging off the distribution of of 10 kg bag of rice, Maize, Geane -corn, a cartoon of Spaghettis and N20,000 to each of the 15,775 flood victims households”.
He said, he has always been concerned with the situation of the flood victims since the beginning of the disaster adding that he will continue to support them in collaboration with federal government and other private and public sympathizers.

“As we commiserate with the peolle over the death of 36 people as a result of the flood, as we also sypathise with those lost their houses and farm lands, We will continue to render more support to the victims to reduce the hardship they face” Governor Namadi stated.

Speaking at the occasion the state Commissioner Ministry of Special Duties Hon Auwal Danladi Sankara said, the state Emergency Management Agency has been working day and night to reach the flood victims

“As the Governor has directed us, Jigawa state Emergency Management Agency had in the early day of the flood provided rapid response to the victims, we also provided second relief materials and today we are giving out another relief materials to the victims living at various IDP camps.

“We have the comprehensive List of the victims, the assessment of the damages which we had jointly taken in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will continue to be used to ensure we support each family and ever victims of the flood across the state. Hon Sankara stated.

Thousands of the Flood Victims who received the relief materials have expressed their gratitude to the governor for his support and concern on their plight .