By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna state Dr, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe,Said the Kaduna State Government is committed towards addressing issues of social justice, promoting equality of opportunities and protecting the human rights of all citizens of the State.
Dr, Hadiza Balarabe is Speaking at the Close-Out Meeting for the Local Rights Programmes Learning by ActionAid Nigeria, In kaduna.Represented by Deputy Chief of Staff of Kaduna state Governor's office,Barrister James Kanyip.
He explained that "In keeping with these commitments, the government has sustained budgetary investments in the social sector,leading to the expansion of healthcare access in underserved areas, and increased enrolment in primary and secondary schools, which are now free and compulsory in all our public schools.
"Kaduna State has equally created the Social Investment Office to coordinate and implement social intervention programmes to support the vulnerable and poor populations of our dear state.
"These social interventions are delivered in the most scientific manner using the State Social Register which as of today has about 3.9 million vulnerable and poor persons and over 1 million vulnerable households from across the 255 wards of the State.
Barrister James Kanyip, maintained that "As a government that believes in partnerships and collaborations in achieving our development agenda,we remain open and receptive to working hand-in-hand with organizations like Actionaid Nigeria to achieve our shared objectives.
"I, commend your tireless efforts over the years in supporting vulnerable individuals and households,advocating for women's rights, improving access to education and healthcare,and promoting sustainable agriculture, among other interventions in Kaduna State.
In her welcome address the Country Director Actionaid Nigeria,Ene Obi, said the impact of the Local Right programme in Kaduna state is resounding and evident across all 23 communities where the programme implemented.
Represented by Hajiya Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo Director of Programmes Actionaid Nigeria, explained that "it has sparked behavioral shifts among individuals, communities, and government institutions, women,who were previously denied opportunities in the community governance and politics, are now empowered and have a more balanced distribution of power.
The Country Director of Programmes, Actionaid Nigeria,maintained that,"Fifteen years ago, Kaduna state become a beacon of hope as it become one of the first beneficiaries of the transformative partnership Against poverty (PAP),now known as the Local Rights programme.
"It was a remarkable journey that brought together youth team in Action Supporting community lnitiated Development (YOTASCID) and hope for the village child Foundation (HFVC)as dedicated partners in driving positive change in this region, together they have tirelessly worked to empower communities and ignite progress.
In his address the programme Manager, Hope for the village child Foundation, Mallam Sadiq Abubakar Bako, highlighted some of the success recorded during the project,said
"As a partner with action it Nigeria our partnership as you care started about more than 18 years ago and we are in 8 communities 4 communities in chikun local government 4 communities in lgabi local government Area.
The community are hard to reach community really as some times you wonder how people are surviving in does area and then they are excluded in terms of need in terms of education and other social activities that will in power them.
so our activities goes around inspiring the women also know there right in the community.
The Programme noted that "and then to stop per violence against women must especially the gender base violence that is going on in the community this is something that community don't want to talk about but at least is happening and we're able to address some of this challenges we can not do that without organizing the women and also the community when you look at the aspect of education the education is also in the area we said is zero close to zero,
"We have to build the capacity of the SBMC to make sure train them to hard working for setting basis that is needed in the school so that it will help them to grow it's in other demonstrate what we doing we have to do this schools renovate some classes and supply some school furniture for the community children to be sustain so the children are our main target in terms of what ever development but we can not do somethings without involving the parents