By Ibrahim Abdul Salam Gumel
DUTSE – The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have commended Jigawa State for its pioneering role in tackling malnutrition and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure in schools and health facilities.
The commendation was given on Monday during the official launch of the UK–Nigeria Climate Resilience Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) Programme in Chamo town, Dutse Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, FCDO Development Director, Cynthia Rowe, reaffirmed the UK’s long-standing partnership with Jigawa, describing the state as a key driver of climate resilience in northern Nigeria.
“We have a 20-year partnership with Jigawa State. Jigawa is really important. CRIBS provides a systematic approach to climate resilience, and we are keen to scale this across Jigawa and northern Nigeria,” she said.
On her part, UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdellatef, hailed Jigawa as a model in nutrition, sanitation, and climate resilience.
“We are here to hand over upgraded, climate-resilient schools and health facilities funded by the UK government. Jigawa has become a model state, making a big difference in many areas. This is the first state in Nigeria to achieve and sustain Open Defecation-Free status,” she stated.
She further praised the state’s Masaki Initiative, which delivers preventive and treatment services for malnourished children under five, alongside Jigawa’s commitment to contributing matching funds for climate resilience.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi, in his remarks, noted that Jigawa remains highly vulnerable to climate shocks, especially perennial flooding, which has caused severe damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and public services.
“Over the years, Jigawa State has been devastated by floods with catastrophic damage to roads, schools, health facilities, and even lives. These disruptions negatively impact education and health service delivery, affecting children’s ability to survive, grow, and fulfill their potential,” the governor lamented.
Highlighting the successes of CRIBS Phase I, Namadi disclosed that about 90 health and education facilities have been renovated, including the historic Chamo Primary School (established in 1960) and Chamo Primary Health Centre (established in 1965), both now remodeled to withstand climate impacts.
“About a quarter of the projects, comprising eleven health facilities and eleven schools, are spread across the three pilot local governments in Jigawa. We expect greater coverage in Phase II with more local governments and facilities included,” he added.
Governor Namadi pledged to gradually scale up CRIBS interventions across the state, citing the urgent need to protect communities vulnerable to climate-related disasters. He also expressed profound gratitude to FCDO and UNICEF, describing them as Jigawa’s most consistent and enduring development partners.
“Even as development assistance is waning in some quarters, FCDO and UNICEF have remained resolute. We will remain ever thankful and committed to sustaining this partnership,” he concluded.
