KTSG Partners UNICEF to Establish Adolescent Girls Hubs, Strengthen Child Protection Programs
By Muawuya Bala Idris Katsina
The Katsina State Government, through the Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNICEF to establish Adolescent Girls Hubs in Mani and Katsina Local Government Areas. The agreement also aims to promote and sustain child protection programs across the state.
Read Also: PDP Remains Strong and United Despite Defections – Sen. Danmarke
The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Special Adviser on Girl Child Education, Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani, and the Special Adviser on Social Development, Alhaji Danladi Nasidi, representing the state government. Rahama Farah, Head of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, signed on behalf of the organization, while the Vice Chairman of Mani Local Government, Alhaji Abubakar Isah, endorsed the document for the benefiting councils.
Under the agreement, UNICEF will support the training of social workers at the Filin Samji Social Development Training Center to enhance service delivery for vulnerable children, including adolescent girls and Almajiri children.
Also Read:“We have lost a towering figure” – Governor Radda
The Permanent Secretary, Department of Girl Child Education, Alhaji Aminu Badaru-Jikamshi, emphasized that the initiative will strengthen pilot schemes aimed at empowering young girls and out-of-school children through education and skill acquisition.
Speaking at the event, Rahama Farah highlighted the importance of translating child protection policies into tangible actions. “We need to see professional services provided to the most vulnerable groups,” he stated. “With over four million children in Katsina, many of whom are out of school—especially girls and Almajiri children—this program offers a second chance for learning and economic empowerment.”
Farah also urged the Katsina State Government to prioritize child-sensitive budgeting, stressing that “children are not just heirs to the future; they are the building blocks of that future. Investing in them today means building a stronger, more sustainable Katsina State tomorrow.” His remarks were made during a separate Media Dialogue organized by UNICEF for journalists and civil society organizations, where experts presented strategies for achieving child-focused budgeting and planning.
Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani expressed gratitude to UNICEF for the collaboration and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring that program benefits reach underserved communities. “We will work closely with stakeholders to address challenges and deliver impactful interventions,” she said.
The event concluded with a collective resolve to expand such initiatives to more vulnerable groups, reinforcing Katsina’s dedication to child welfare and development.
