By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
The Kano State Government has commended the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for its contributions to promoting humanitarian affairs in the state.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, made the commendation today Tuesday at a 3-day Participatory Planning Workshop on Durable Solutions for Displaced Population under the European Union Funded SIDPIN Project held in Kano.
Adamu Aliyu noted that the State government has been working with UN-Habitat to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.
He cited that it had been on record the UN-Habitat provided strong technical support in the planning and management of shelters and settlements, ensuring safe, organized and resilient environment in the state.
” This organization assists governments and partners in delivering sustainable empowerment on life skill acquisitions, housing solutions, restoring essential urban infrastructure, improving access to basic services for affected population.
” It is also pertinent to highlight that, their role remains central in Advancing durable solutions and improving the living conditions of the displaced and vulnerable communities” he acknowledged.
On the workshop, Adamu Aliyu revealed that it would provide unique platform that brings together all stakeholders who jointly examine the realities faced by displaced people, identifying existing gaps, and solutions that respond to their needs.
He therefore reiterated the commitment of the government to strengthen good working relationship with all relevant partners in promoting the social and economic well-being of people in the state.
While encouraging the participants to actively contribute to the success of the program, Aliyu explained that the insights generated would form the basis for designing policies, programmes and interventions aligned with present administration priorities of community aspirations.
Presenting an overview on the state Humanitarian Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Hajiya Amina Yusuf ‘Yargaya stated that Kano is experiencing rapid population growth, internal migration and climatic impacts which is linked to its role as economic hub, a host community for displaced persons, and a center for dense urbanization.
According to Amina Yusuf, although the situation is relatively stable compared to neighboring states, the Humanitarian needs are shaped by rapid population growth, internal migration, poverty, climatic impacts and spillover insecurity from the North-West and North-East regions respectively.
” Kano State hosts significant number of internally displaced persons arriving from states affected by banditry, communal clashes and environmental shocks such as Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Yobe, and Borno States ” she revealed.
In his remarks, the representative of Kano Emirate Council, the District Head of Rimin Gado, Dan Malikin Kano Alhaji Auwalu Mudi Yakasai advocated that with represent political situation in the country, more effort should be made to strengthen good working relationship between political leaders and traditional institutions which he said would result to transformative progress in the communities.
In a statement signed by Director public enlightenment state ministry for Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation said the 3-day Participatory Planning Workshop is aimed at ensuring that planning process reflects the interest and priorities of all major groups in the community by promoting transformative change through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance and collaborative action.
