UNICEF – Sokoto Govt Partner To Boost Capacity Of M&E Officers

Recruitment: Apply For UNICEF Recruitment 2024
Recruitment: Apply For UNICEF Recruitment 2024

Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a two-day capacity-strengthening workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of planning, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) officers across various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in the state.

Gatekeepers News reports that this was revealed in a statement signed by Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, Honourable Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning.

Speaking at the event held at Azbir Hotel, Birnin Kebbi, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad Zayyana, emphasized that effective planning is critical to the success of any policy or program.

He explained that the workshop was designed to equip M&E officers with the necessary tools for improved documentation, monitoring, reporting, and service delivery.

Dr. Zayyana noted that the training was timely as the state is currently developing its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), State Development Plan (SDP), and the 2026 budget proposal.

He thanked Governor Ahmad Aliyu for his continued support and commended UNICEF for its ongoing contributions to the state’s development.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, described the planning and M&E officers as the backbone of the state’s development, urging them to diligently collect, harmonize, and present accurate data to aid informed policymaking.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Alhaji Usman Arzika Bodinga, lauded the initiative, saying it would significantly improve decision-making processes, economic growth, and general well-being in the state.

The Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation at UNICEF Abuja, Mr. Wayne Bacale, highlighted the objectives of the workshop and encouraged participants to fully engage, collaborate, and share expertise. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state in improving the lives of its citizens.

Other speakers at the event included Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, Director of Planning at the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and Comrade Bello Gwadabawa, Chairman of Civil Society Organizations in the state. Both praised the Ministry and UNICEF for their efforts to enhance productivity through such initiatives.

Top government officials and UNICEF representatives, including the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Sokoto, Mr. Michael Juma, were present at the workshop.