The Aminu Magashi Garba (AMG) Foundation has organised an experience-sharing session in Kano following the recently concluded National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction held in Calabar.
The national meeting, themed “Beyond the National: Strengthening Sub-National and Multi-Stakeholder Synergy for a Unified Approach to Humanitarian Response and Poverty Reduction,” brought together key actors to deliberate on strategies for improving humanitarian coordination across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Kano session, the Chairman of the AMG Foundation, who also serves as the technical adviser to the Kano state governor on humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, explained that several memoranda were extensively deliberated upon during the National Council meeting in Calabar.
He said he reviewed a number of the submissions and brought them to Kano as samples to guide discussions and implementation at the state level.
According to Dr. Magashi, the experience-sharing meeting brought together relevant stakeholders in humanitarian affairs, including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), social protection agencies, relevant ministries, the Kano State House of Assembly, non-governmental organisations, the media, and other critical partners.
He noted that stakeholders are working collectively to implement sustainable programs for vulnerable populations in Kano, including expanding the social register to accommodate more beneficiaries, supporting pregnant women, addressing child nutrition challenges, and strengthening school feeding initiatives among others.
Dr. Magashi added that the session provided an opportunity to share key insights from the National Council meeting in Calabar, with the aim of strengthening humanitarian response and poverty alleviation efforts across Kano State.
The Technical Adviser, expressed optimism, assuring participants of his commitment to working closely with the ministry and relevant agencies to pursue a common agenda that prioritises support for vulnerable groups in the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Hajiya Amina Yusuf described the meeting as timely and apt.
She commended Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba for his sustained efforts, which she described as a major catalyst for impactful and fruitful humanitarian interventions in Kano State.
According to her, the ministry has taken note of the issues raised during the meeting and would work towards achieving the outlined objectives.
In his remarks, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, Kano House of Assembly, Alhaji Sule Lawan Shuwaki, disclosed that preparations are ongoing to pass a humanitarian law in the State.
He also highlighted other humanitarian interventions in the state, including the recent evacuation of mentally challenged persons from the streets, the establishment of new care centres, and support from development partners.
Alhaji Shuwaki identified the influx of displaced persons from neighbouring states as a major challenge affecting humanitarian interventions in Kano but reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working tirelessly to improve humanitarian outcomes.
The meeting was attended by heads of agencies and departments involved in humanitarian interventions in Kano State, including SEMA, KASPA, NGOs,media and other relevant stakeholders.