Namadi hosts NG-CARES chief, reiterates commitment to grassroots empowerment

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to deepen grassroots development and sustain programmes that directly impact the lives of citizens.

The governor stated this when he received Abdulkareem Obaje, the national coordinator of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, who paid him a courtesy visit in Dutse alongside his team and a television documentary crew from Abuja.

Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Dutse noted that, Obaje commended the governor and the government of Jigawa State for their tremendous support of the NG-CARES programme since its formal inception in 2021.

The statement reads, “the NG-CARES programme has run now for four years, and we have reimbursed the state to the tune of $696 million. We have reached about 70 million Nigerians with this intervention.

“We have passed through the stage of emergency and recovery. We are now at the stage of building resilience among the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria.

“Jigawa State is one of our frontline states. You have drawn up to $10 million under the NG-CARES programme, about $9.6 million so far, not up to the $30 million expected, but that depends on the DLIs selected and how they were implemented. The implementation here has been very successful, and there is a lot of credibility and ownership that we have seen from Your Excellency.

“Your Excellency, we are moving swiftly to NG-CARES 2.0. I have received a report that Jigawa State is fully ready to participate in NG-CARES 2.0. The only major thing outstanding is the subsidiary loan agreement.

“As soon as this agreement is finalised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the programme will be declared effective. The tentative date we are looking at for effectiveness is around 9th December. We have about a month to go.

“I recall your visit to a community where you received a complaint about a particular DLI that was not functioning optimally. And on this point, you directed action to be taken. That is why Governor Namadi listens to the people. We greatly appreciate your leadership.”

In his response, Governor Namadi thanked the NG-CARES team for the visit and described the programme as one of the most impactful initiatives reaching the poorest communities in Jigawa State. “NG-CARES is one single programme that has truly touched the lives of our people,” he said.

“I was one of the governors who took the campaign of continuation of NG-CARES not only at the Governors’ Forum but also at the World Bank level. I insisted to the then Country Director that if there is any programme that has brought impact to our people, it is NG-CARES.

“I can tell you that without fear of contradiction, NG-CARES 2.0 is our brainchild because we promoted its continuation.”

Governor Namadi pledged continued state support for the programme, emphasising its value in strengthening livelihoods and promoting social security.

“We will support these programmes because we have campaigned for their continuity. As a government, we will give all the support that is required because we know this programme has great benefit to our people, in terms of social security, promoting agriculture, and improving livelihood,” he said.

The visit was part of a nationwide engagement by the NG-CARES coordination office to document outcomes, gather feedback, and showcase success stories as preparations for NG-CARES 2.0 advance, the statement added.