The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Katsina State Government have signed a three-year work plan (2025–2027) aimed at enhancing the well-being of children in the state.
UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kano, Mr. Rahama Mohammed-Farah, disclosed this at the signing ceremony held on Thursday in Katsina. He was represented by UNICEF Health Manager Dr. Sereke Seyoum-Deres.
Mohammed-Farah described the work plan not merely as a document but as a testament to a shared vision for a brighter future for every child in Katsina State.
He explained that the plan covers critical sectors, including health, nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as social policy.
“Children are the future of this great nation, and investing in their wellbeing is not only a moral imperative but a strategic decision that will yield long-term dividends for the state’s development,” he said.
He noted that polio remains a significant threat to children’s health in the state, stressing that “eradicating polio must be our top priority in 2025.”
“We must dedicate all our efforts and resources to mobilising communities, raising awareness, and ensuring that every corner of Katsina is reached. The aim is to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. The Katsina Government must take the lead at the ward, district, and local government levels to address vaccine refusals,” he added.
Mohammed-Farah urged the state government to leverage its own resources, explore public-private partnerships, and strengthen community-based initiatives to ensure that no child is left behind.
On reducing the growing number of out-of-school children, he encouraged the government to improve early learning quality and increase school readiness from the primary school level.
He also reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state in achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by ensuring that the remaining seven local government areas attain ODF certification.
In addition, he urged the government to prioritise child-sensitive social protection interventions to address multiple deprivations affecting children in both rural and urban areas.
In his remarks, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, said the partnership with UNICEF underscores the government’s commitment to improving the lives and well-being of children across the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to education, recognising its critical role in nation-building.
Governor Radda stated that his government had invested over N100 billion in the education sector through teacher recruitment, support for science and technical education, scholarship awards, and school construction, among other initiatives.
