The Katsina State Government and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have signed a multi-year work plan (MYWP) covering 2025 to 2027.
UNICEF field officer, Kano Field Office,Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, who spoke on behalf of Dr. Sereke Seyoum Deres, Health Manager at UNICEF, expressed the agency’s commitment to build a more inclusive future for the youth and Women
He said: “This work plan is more than a document — it’s a shared commitment to build a brighter, healthier, and more inclusive future for every child in Katsina State,”
Farah also lauded Governor Radda’s administration for its proactive investment in children-centered initiatives, including the groundbreaking Hadaka and MCH-Track programs.
He called on the government to further deepen its financial commitments to key sectors such as health, nutrition, education, WASH, and child protection.
Highlighting some other urgent concerns, UNICEF stressed the need to eliminate polio in Katsina by 2025, tackle the rise in out-of-school children, and accelerate efforts to declare the state Open Defecation Free — a move that would make Katsina only the second state in Nigeria to achieve such status.
Farah also urged the government to prioritize a universal child grant scheme and enact a strong social protection framework through the launch of its State Development Plan and approved social protection policy.
He said ”As we sign this plan today, we are not just setting goals — we are making a promise to every child in Katsina that they will not be left behind,”
Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to child welfare, expressing gratitude to UNICEF for its continued support and partnership in driving sustainable development in Katsina State.