Jigawa State government has reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) project, supported by the World Bank, and other initiatives aimed at improving the livelihood of its citizens.
The state Governor Malam Umar Namadi made the remarks when he received the National Coordinator of the NG-CARES programme, Dr. Abdulkareem Obaje, who paid him a courtesy visit in Dutse alongside his team.
The Governor stated that Jigawa State has been diligently following all national guidelines for the programme’s implementation, which has so far yielded fruitful results. “In fact, it is one of the most impactful initiatives reaching the poorest communities in Jigawa State,” he said.
“I was one of the governors who campaigned for the 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.”
“So I know what it means in stimulating the economic life of the common man at the grassroots. I pledge to continue giving all necessary support to NG-CARES 2.0 implementation to achieve the desired goals,” Governor Namadi stated.
He added that the NG-CARES programme is perfectly aligned with his administration’s 12-point agenda, particularly in empowering people through business, creating jobs, generating opportunities for wealth creation, and improving livelihoods for overall growth and development.
In his speech, the National Coordinator of the NG-CARES programme, Dr. Abdulkareem Obaje, said the visit was part of a nationwide engagement to document outcomes, gather feedback, and showcase success stories in preparation for the launch of NG-CARES 2.0.
Dr. Obaje commended the Governor and the government of Jigawa State for their unwavering support of the NG-CARES programme since its formal inception in 2021.
He noted that the programme was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and was designed to assist state governments in reflating and jumpstarting the economy at the rural level.
“The NG-CARES programme has now run for four years, and we have reimbursed states to the tune of $696 million. We have reached about 70 million Nigerians with this intervention,” he said. “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.”
Dr. Obaje also highlighted that the new phase of the initiative, NG-CARES 2.0, is set to become effective soon.
“Your Excellency, we are moving swiftly to NG-CARES 2.0. I have received a report that Jigawa State is fully ready to participate. The only major thing outstanding is the subsidiary loan agreement,” Obaje stated.
