The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), partnering with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has officially transferred 11 climate-adaptive primary healthcare and basic education centers to the government of Jigawa State.
During the handover event held in Chamo town within Dutse local government area, Governor Umar Namadi expressed his appreciation for the comprehensive support provided by FCDO and UNICEF.
He highlighted that enhancing the resilience of health and educational infrastructures against climate impacts is a crucial strategy, especially since Jigawa frequently faces flooding and severe rainstorms that often lead to expensive repairs of public amenities.
“These upgraded, climate-resilient facilities will set a precedent, and we are committed to evaluating their performance and expanding this model to other local governments. This approach will promote cost efficiency, sustainable service provision, and help mitigate environmental harm,” the governor remarked.
“The Chamo Primary Healthcare Center and Primary School, originally established in the 1960s, have undergone multiple renovations over the years. However, the scale and quality of improvements introduced by FCDO and UNICEF today are unprecedented. We deeply appreciate this support,” he added.
Governor Namadi further acknowledged the longstanding partnership with FCDO and UNICEF, emphasizing their significant contributions in sectors such as Water and Sanitation, Immunization, Basic Education, Child Nutrition, Governance, and Public Accountability. “Their efforts have substantially enhanced public service quality and fostered socio-economic progress in Jigawa State. We are truly thankful,” he concluded.
At the ceremony, Mrs. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF’s country director in Nigeria, noted that the project, funded by FCDO, was implemented across three pilot local government areas: Dutse, Birniwa, and Kafin Hausa.
She explained that the initiative is designed to serve as a scalable blueprint for Jigawa State and other public and private entities aiming to construct facilities that ensure both sustainability and climate resilience.
Mrs. Cynthia Rowe, FCDO’s country director in Nigeria, praised the Jigawa State Government for its dedication to the memoranda of understanding (MoUs), which facilitated smooth project execution.
“Climate-resilient infrastructure is engineered to withstand contemporary environmental challenges such as global warming, flooding, and windstorms, which often compromise the longevity of buildings,” Mrs. Rowe stated.
“As we officially hand over these upgraded facilities, we extend our gratitude to the Jigawa State Government and the local communities involved. We anticipate expanding this initiative further and continuing our partnership to support human development and ecosystem sustainability,” she concluded.
