In a concerted effort to enhance effective governance and service delivery, the Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a two-day capacity strengthening workshop for planning, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) officers from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The workshop, which opened Monday at Azbir Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, was organized by the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, stressed that sound planning is the cornerstone of successful policy implementation.
“Proper planning is a prerequisite for achieving any meaningful development,” Dr. Zayyana said, emphasizing the need to equip planning and M&E officers with the necessary skills for documentation, reporting, and monitoring to improve public sector performance.
Dr. Zayyana also noted that the workshop aligns with the state’s ongoing efforts to develop its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), State Development Plan (SDP), and the 2026 budget proposal. He expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmad Aliyu for his continued support and commended UNICEF for its consistent developmental interventions in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, described planning and M&E officers as “the backbone of the state’s development,” calling on them to deliver quality data and insights that drive effective policymaking.
Alhaji Usman Arzika Bodinga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Home Affairs, highlighted the broader economic and societal benefits of the initiative. “This training will significantly enhance decision-making, economic growth, and overall service delivery,” he said.
Representing UNICEF, Mr. Wayne Bacale, Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation at UNICEF Abuja, outlined the goals of the workshop and encouraged active participation. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Sokoto State in its quest to improve the well-being of its citizens.
In their goodwill messages, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi, Director of Planning at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and Comrade Bello Gwadabawa, Chairman of Civil Society Organizations in the state, commended the partnership and urged for sustained capacity-building programmes.
The event drew attendance from key state government functionaries, representatives from UNICEF’s Abuja and Sokoto offices, including Mr. Michael Juma, Chief Field Officer for UNICEF Sokoto.
