Kebbi State has been named as one of three Nigerian states selected to benefit from a $10.7 million health and nutrition project supported by Global Affairs Canada and implemented through UNICEF.
The five-year initiative, which also includes Kaduna and Bauchi States, aims to improve the health and nutritional well-being of women, adolescents, and children, with a strong focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Speaking at a two-day state engagement meeting in Birnin Kebbi, the Chief of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Mr. Michael Juma, explained that the meeting was convened to provide an overview of the project, establish a coordination structure, and agree on collaborative actions for smooth implementation.
Juma noted that the session also aimed to align the project with other ongoing initiatives, finalize a strategy for execution, and develop the 2025 work plan alongside a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and supply plan.
Health Manager for the Global Affairs Canada Initiative, Mr. Martins Dolhsten, confirmed the total funding of $10.7 million will be shared among the three states over the course of five years.
Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Comrade Yunusa Ismail, reiterated the state government’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all residents. He expressed appreciation to Global Affairs Canada and UNICEF for selecting Kebbi as a beneficiary and urged participants to be diligent in developing a practical and effective action plan.
Participants at the engagement meeting included representatives from the media, civil society organizations, and the state Ministries of Health, Information, Budget, and Economic Planning.