The federal government, in partnership with the UK Government through UNICEF, has invested £19 million under the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure (CRIBS) programme to deliver 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities across Kano and Jigawa states.
Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Kano, disclosed this at a Media and Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in primary healthcare centres and schools, held at Tashir Guest Palace. He said the facilities were inaugurated last year and highlighted that the programme’s success in Kano and Jigawa has prompted its expansion to Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina states this year.
Farah emphasized that setting mutually acceptable service standards is essential for achieving social and health benefits, but sustainability is equally critical. He called on duty bearers, stakeholders, and communities to maintain WASH facilities in schools and health centres to prevent deterioration and maximize impact.
The UNICEF official also stressed the media’s vital role in advocating for improved WASH services. He urged journalists to spotlight gaps identified by the WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM), track state budget allocations for boreholes, latrines, and hygiene supplies, and hold governments accountable for meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Media stories can amplify children’s voices, put pressure on decision-makers to prioritise WASH funding, and mobilise communities, turning data into action for healthier futures,” Farah said. He added that stakeholders must work tirelessly to expose neglect and ensure every school and clinic is equipped with functional WASH facilities, insisting that Nigerian children deserve nothing less.
Leave a comment