Dutse: On Wednesday, UNICEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jigawa Government for the training of social workers in the state.
Speaking at the brief event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Hadiza Abdulwahab, said the programme would greatly help to boost child welfare in the state.
Abdulwahab, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Hauwa Zakar, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its endless support to child welfare in the state and beyond.
She pledged her commitment to the cause of children, describing it as a significant function of the ministry.
In a statement, the Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr Rahma Farrah, hoped that the MOU would help strengthen the cause of children in Jigawa.
Farrah also stated that UNICEF was providing technical support for the training of social workers in the state, through the Jigawa State Polytechnic, to enhance professionalism in child welfare.
Shedding more light on the MOU, the UNICEF’s Child Specialist, Mrs Fatima Adamu, charged the polytechnic to introduce a curriculum in social work at the school.
Adamu stated that UNICEF was working diligently to provide support for the training and hoped that it would remain sustainable even after the pilot training.
She identified other components of the MOU, saying that UNICEF was optimistic that the document would bring about significant change in social work in the state.
According to her, UNICEF is providing technical support to train social workers for the benefit of children, as their professionalism will impact the communities.
On his part, Dr Ahmad Badawy, the Rector of the polytechnic, commended UNICEF for its consideration and partnership.
“We are indeed delighted to be part of this remarkable achievement, and we promise to work on the curriculum developed by UNICEF, with the possibility of sustainability,” Badawy said.