The Katsina State Government on Thursday signed a multi-year work plan aimed at ensuring a brighter future for every child in the State.
The three year work plan tagged: UNICEF-Katsina State Multi-year Work Plan for 2025-2027, covers the critical areas of health, nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as social policy.
The signing of this work plan therefore demonstrates UNICEF's continuing collaboration and the strong partnership with the Katsina State Government.
In a remark during the ceremony held at the Katsina Government House, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, explained that, the work plan which is a comprehensive framework that will guide collective efforts in these critical areas, is not just a document; but a testament to a shared vision for a brighter future for every child in Katsina state.
Mr. Farah, represented by Dr Sereke Seyoum Deres, the Health Manager, UNICEF Field Office Kano maintained that, the plan envisions ambitious targets and outcomes for which resources need to be mobilized adding that the Katsina State Government is expected to contribute its share as counterpart funding to achieve and sustain the planned results.
He, however, called on the Katsina State Government to consider increasing the allocation of domestic resources to the critical sectors of health, nutrition, education, WASH, child protection, and social protection.
By prioritizing investments in these sectors, according to him, the state can build resilient systems that are less dependent on external funding and more responsive to the needs of its people.
Dr Deres, while expressing concern about the rising cases of polio virus in Katsina State, which he described as a significant threat to children's health in the State, stressed that, eradicating polio must be given top priority in 2025 by ensuring that every corner of the State is reached so that parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children.
Your Excellency, while UNICEF’s commitment to our partnership is not in doubt, and the progress we have made together over the years is remarkable, however, we must also acknowledge the current realities of dwindling global donor funding and hence the significance of the government contribution.
"The economic challenges facing the world today have placed significant pressure on international resources, making it imperative for us to explore innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure the continuity and scalability of our programmes.
In this context, I would like to respectfully call on the Katsina State Government to consider increasing the allocation of domestic resources to the critical sectors of health, nutrition, education, WASH, child protection, and social protection. By prioritizing investments in these sectors, the state can build resilient systems that are less dependent on external funding and more responsive to the needs of its people.
"Thankfully, Katsina state under your leadership is already demonstrating the innovative approach through the Hadaka and MCH-Track in the health sectors.
These innovations will not only help to bridge the funding gaps occasioned by dwindling donor-supported interventions but put Katsina state in the driving seat of the state’s development imperatives.
Your Excellency, the children of Katsina State are the future of this great nation, and investing in their wellbeing is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic decision that will yield long-term dividends for the state’s development.
As we speak today, the polio virus remains a significant threat to children's health in Katsina State. Eradicating polio must be our top priority in 2025. We must dedicate all our efforts and resources to mobilizing communities, raising awareness, and ensuring that every corner of Katsina is reached so that parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children.
The Katsina government must take the lead at the ward, district, and local government levels to address vaccine refusals. It is essential to secure the full engagement of LGA chairpersons, community leaders, and religious leaders, holding them accountable for ensuring that every child in Katsina is vaccinated.
UNICEF urges the government to leverage its own resources, explore public-private partnerships, and strengthen community-based initiatives to ensure that no child is left behind.
To reduce the growing number of out of school children, the government should improve the provision of quality early learning and increase school readiness for primary school. Sustaining the practice will ensure children are enrolled at the right age and will transfer to all levels of education with less risk of drop out.
UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of Katsina State in this endeavour, particularly in getting the remaining 7 LGAs of the state to attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status so that the state can be declared an ODF state this year, only the second in the country.
We will continue to provide technical assistance, mobilize resources where possible, and advocate for the rights of every child.
However, the sustainability of our efforts will depend on the state’s ability to take ownership of these programmes and ensure their continuity through increased domestic funding.
UNICEF requests the Katsina state government to prioritize child sensitive social protection interventions to combat multiple deprivations amongst Children in rural and urban areas.
This requires a launching and dissemination of approved State Development Plan (SDP) as well as social protection policy with the establishment of a strong legislative framework for social protection. Key priorities should be placed in designing a robust multisectoral universal child grant that will enhance inclusion and coverage.
In addition, increasing effective investment in basic social sectors for children through increase in budgetary allocation and spending will lead to better outcomes for the wellbeing of children in Katsina State.
Today, we sign this Workplan with a shared sense of purpose and determination to leave no child behind.
"In closing, I would like to reiterate UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Government of Katsina State in realizing the rights of every child", he stated.
In his response, the Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda restated commitment of his administration to continue working closely with the UNICEF, development partners and other stakeholders, to ensure successful implementation of the shared goals and commitment.
According to him, his administration has been making frantic efforts in the areas of education, health, and nutrition among other sectors, stating that, his administration has as well prioritized investment in education aiming to increase access to quality learning opportunities for all.
In trying to reduce the out of school children, the government has invested over 120 Billion in education. We constructed over 160 schools and classrooms, 81 boreholes and 46 toilets as well as rehabilitating over 500 classrooms among other intervention.
We have upgraded and renovated 158 Primary Healthcare Centers facilities with provision of medical equipment, water supply, modern latrines, solar lightening, staff quarters and tricycle ambulance across the State. We have approved additional 102 PHC facilities for rehabilitation for the year 2023.
In immunization efforts, we have distributed 361 motorcycles for routine immunization in collaboration with GAVI and UNICEF demonstrating our resolve to ensure vaccines reach every corner of the State and we focus our attention more on polio eradication in this year.
In nutrition and public health, we have commenced over 500 million in counterpart funding with UNICEF for the management of acute malnutrition", he explained.
It could be recalled that, a month ago, the UNICEF team was in Katsina State to officially hand over the GAVI/UNICEF Health MOU,
funded by GAVI and implemented in collaboration with the Katsina StateGovernment.
This partnership was said to have delivered remarkable results, particularly in enhancing immunization outcomes.