By Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
In a renewed effort to strengthen institutional capacity for effective service delivery, the Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched a two-day capacity-building workshop for planning, monitoring, and evaluation officers across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The workshop, which is being held at Azbir Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, is aimed at improving planning, documentation, and reporting processes as part of the state’s broader reform agenda.
Declaring the event open, Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, stressed that robust planning is a critical prerequisite for achieving any meaningful policy or development goal.
“This workshop is timely, coming at a moment when the state is preparing its Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the State Development Plan (SDP), and the 2026 budget proposal,” Dr. Zayyana noted. He expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his continued support, and to UNICEF for its enduring partnership with the state.
In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, described M&E officers as the engine room of the state’s development machinery. He urged them to be diligent in collecting, harmonizing, and presenting data that will inform evidence-based policymaking.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Alhaji Usman Arzika Bodinga, lauded the initiative, stating that it would significantly enhance governance outcomes and foster economic growth.
UNICEF’s Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation from Abuja, Mr. Wayne Bacale, highlighted the objectives of the workshop, urging participants to engage actively and exchange ideas. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Sokoto State in improving the welfare of its citizens.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, and the Chairman of the Civil Society Organizations in the state, Comrade Bello Gwadabawa, both emphasized the importance of such training programs in enhancing productivity and accountability in public service.
Among the dignitaries present at the workshop were top officials from the Sokoto State Government, UNICEF Abuja, and the Chief of Field Office for UNICEF Sokoto, Mr. Michael Juma.
