By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

A 25-year-old woman, Fiddausi Muhammad, wife of a police constable, delivered triplets via cesarean section at Dutse General Hospital, Jigawa State.
It marked her first successful pregnancy after years of delay in conceiving.
She was blessed with a boy and two girls.
Fiddausi, who is recovering and has begun breastfeeding, expressed her gratitude: “I thank Allah for His mercy and blessings. I pray for His support and guidance in raising them.” She added, “I didn’t know I was carrying triplets. Scans during antenatal visits showed twins, but by the grace of God, I delivered triplets.”

Her husband, Police Constable Dayyabi Muhammad, described the birth as both a blessing and a challenge. “It is a moment of celebration, having three children at once, but it is also challenging due to the current economic difficulties,” he said.

He highlighted the financial strain, noting the costs of nutritional food for the mother, medical care, and day-to-day expenses for the triplets. “Providing adequate nutrition for exclusive breastfeeding, as recommended, and managing daily expenses, healthcare, and education for three newborns at once is overwhelming,” he added.

Constable Muhammad appealed to Governor Umar Namadi, the governor’s wife, and compassionate individuals for support.
“The economic reality of raising triplets is daunting. Rising inflation has made essentials like diapers, baby formula, and medical care a heavy burden, especially for low-income families,” he said.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The partnership between Jigawa State and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has led to impressive progress in key areas of nutrition, water and sanitation, health, education, and child protection.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Yusha’u Muhammad Jaji shared the success story at the 2024 end-of-year review meeting and 2025-2027 work plan consultation held at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse.

Jaji indicated that Governor Malam Umar Namadi led Government prioritized human and infrastructural development, ensuring timely release of counterpart funds for all development partners.
He emphasized the state’s 12-point agenda, which has been instrumental to the delivery of tangible results for the people of State.

UNICEF’s Chief of Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahman Farrah, and UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Michael Banda, spoke highly of the partnership’s impact. Farrah noted significant progress, including a reduction in out-of-school children, improvements in water and sanitation, a decline in malnutrition, and advancements in health, child protection, and poverty reduction through cash transfers.
The review meeting also assessed achievements, identified challenges, and laid the foundation for future priorities. For 2025-2027, UNICEF planned to focus on community engagement to ensure sustainable outcomes, with an emphasis on reducing maternal mortality, increasing immunization rates, and enhancing birth registration.

Future efforts will also prioritize tackling child poverty through conditional cash transfers and ensuring that every child, especially those at risk, has access to education and healthcare opportunities.

Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has officially launched a N10.88 billion gully erosion control project aimed at mitigating the devastating impact of gully erosion on communities in Dutse, the state capital.

The project, titled the Danmasara-Kalgo-Yalwawa Erosion Control Project, spans seven kilometers and is being funded under the World Bank-assisted ACReSAL Project, in collaboration with the state government’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Speaking at the launch, Governor Namadi highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability as a core priority of his administration.
He emphasized its role in combating perennial flooding, desertification, land degradation, and the loss of forest reserves.
The Governor explained that the environmental challenges have posed significant setbacks to the state’s efforts to improve livelihoods and promote agricultural resilience.

“This project is a direct response to the long-standing environmental challenges faced by the Danmasara, Kalgo, and Yalwawa communities,” Governor Namadi said.
“For decades, gully erosion has been destroying farmlands, roads, homes, and livelihoods, while endangering lives and properties. Tackling this issue is now a priority for us.”

The project will include the construction of U-shaped gravity-driven drainage structures, dozens of culverts, and reinforced concrete structures to prevent further erosion, reclaiming over 400 hectares of land in the process. The initiative is expected to improve the livelihoods of thousands of households affected by the erosion.

Governor Namadi also announced that the project would be executed by Alren Construction Company and Retercha Company Limited, each handling specific segments of the project.
He disclosed that over N189 million in compensation will be paid to 479 individuals affected by the project, covering land, economic trees, crops, and resettlement costs.

“This project is a testament to our commitment to the environment and the welfare of our people,” Governor Namadi added, reinforcing his administration’s focus on sustainable development.