By Ahmed Aminu, Dutse

In a bold move to enhance grassroots development and promote economic recovery, the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) program has distributed motorcycles to facilitators across the 27 local government areas of Jigawa State under its FADAMA CARES Results Area II initiative.

The distribution is seen as a strategic intervention aimed at bridging gaps in rural service delivery, ensuring timely support for farmers, and strengthening community-based projects.

The State Programme Coordinator, Dr. Aliyu Inuwa,
emphasized that the motorcycles were provided to ease mobility challenges faced by facilitators in reaching remote communities.

“This intervention is designed to enhance your capacity to deliver services efficiently and achieve better results for rural development programs,” Dr. Inuwa stated.

Highlighting the importance of accountability, he urged beneficiaries to adhere to maintenance agreements to ensure the motorcycles remain functional and impactful throughout the program’s implementation.
The initiative comes at a time when rural communities are grappling with economic hardships and food insecurity. By improving mobility and accessibility, the motorcycles will enable facilitators to monitor agricultural activities, deliver technical support, and supervise economic recovery programs in hard-to-reach areas.

A member of the Beneficiary Targeting Selection Committee, Mr. Aminu Adamu,
described the gesture as a reward for dedication, acknowledging the facilitators’ critical role in achieving the goals of FADAMA CARES.

“This effort underscores our collective commitment to rural transformation and economic recovery,” Adamu said.
He called on facilitators to prioritize maintenance and security of the motorcycles to sustain their impact.

Voices from the Field
For facilitators like Malam Yahaya from Kazaure, the motorcycles provide a timely solution to mobility challenges.

“This intervention will improve our ability to reach remote areas, offer support to farmers, and oversee agricultural programs effectively,” Yahaya noted.

He also appealed for additional support, particularly for fueling and maintenance costs, to ensure uninterrupted field operations.
The motorcycle distribution aligns with NG-CARES’ broader strategy to revitalize rural economies, strengthen agricultural productivity, and improve livelihoods in Jigawa State.
As facilitators gear up for expanded field operations, the intervention is expected to accelerate the implementation of development programs, reduce poverty, and empower rural communities, marking a significant step toward post-pandemic economic resilience.

The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, is mourning the loss of his mother, Hajiya Maryam Namadi-Umar, who passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, December 25, 2024, after a brief illness.
A statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, confirmed the sad news and announced that funeral prayers and burial will be held today at 4:30 PM in Kafin Hausa, her hometown, following Islamic rites.
“With deep sorrow and submission to the will of Allah, His Excellency Mallam Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, announces the passing of his dear mother, Hajiya Maryam Namadi Umar,” Gumel stated.
He added, “The governor and his family seek prayers for her soul, asking Allah to grant her eternal rest in Jannah and comfort the bereaved family during this trying time.”
Sympathizers and dignitaries are expected to join the family in prayers and pay their last respects as arrangements for the burial unfold today.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

A surge in demand for contraceptives in Jigawa State has exposed critical gaps in the supply chain, sparking calls for urgent intervention to sustain access to family planning services.

This concern was raised in a communiqué issued at the 2024 end-of-year media review meeting on family planning and reproductive health advocacy.
The meeting, organized by the Jigawa State Family Planning Media Forum with support from The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Development Communications Network (DevComs), was held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse.
Participants at the meeting, including representatives from TCI/DevComs, the State Ministry of Health, and the media working group, reviewed the progress made in promoting family planning and reproductive health services throughout 2024.

The review highlighted that sustained advocacy and public awareness campaigns had led to increased acceptance of family planning practices among women of reproductive age across both rural and urban areas. However, the rapid rise in demand has overwhelmed existing supply systems, leading to frequent stockouts of contraceptives at health facilities.

Key challenges identified included inadequate funding for procuring and distributing family planning commodities, irregular release of funds, and affecting service continuity, limited public awareness about family planning options in underserved areas and Capacity gaps within the media working group to sustain advocacy campaigns without external support.
The communiqué called on development partners to strengthen the supply chain and expand public enlightenment campaigns on the importance of family planning for improved reproductive health and family wellbeing.
It also advocated for regular training of journalists and media personnel on sustainability strategies and effective communication approaches.

TCI and DevComs, global leaders in reproductive health support, have been working with the Jigawa State Government since early 2024 to boost service delivery through advocacy, workshops, field visits, and public campaigns
The partnership has focused on key areas, including child spacing, antenatal care, facility-based deliveries, and routine immunizations.
Stakeholders stressed that without immediate steps to address funding gaps and improve supply systems, the growing demand could derail the progress achieved in family planning awareness and adoption in Jigawa State.

End.