The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has committed approximately ₦480 million to support women and children in Zamfara State, Nigeria, in accessing free healthcare services.
This announcement was made by Michael Juma, the UNICEF Chief of the Sokoto Field Office, during a three-day formal interaction with Zamfara State Government officials focused on the state’s Ten-Year Strategic Plan.
Juma highlighted that this funding is intended to facilitate the provision of free healthcare services for women and children, addressing a crucial need in the region. He also emphasized UNICEF’s commitment to developing an accountability, monitoring, and evaluation framework to assist key officers in managing the strategic plan, tracking progress, and ensuring efficient use of resources. This framework aims to enhance staff competencies in reporting and budgeting, ultimately supporting the state government in making informed decisions and achieving desired outcomes.
UNICEF’s support extends to Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration by providing insights on resource allocation and the results achieved, aiming to improve the lives of the people in Zamfara. Governor Lawal expressed gratitude for UNICEF’s ongoing support and described the ten-year strategic plan as a critical roadmap for addressing the state’s challenges and fostering sustainable development in social, economic, and environmental sectors.
Additionally, UNICEF is working to ensure that children in Zamfara have access to quality and inclusive education. This includes a particular focus on enrolling out-of-school children, ensuring they receive appropriate education to help them reach their full potential.
