Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa State, has expressed his administration`s commitment towards strengthening international collaboration and partnership between the state, and government, and people of the State of Qatar.
The governor stated this Thursday, while presiding the handover of livelihood support equipment to 60 beneficiaries, donated by the Qatar Charity Organisation in Nigeria as part of the ongoing partnership between the state government, and the State of Qatar.
Speaking during the handover the items in a brief ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Dutse, which has the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Ali Bin Ghanim Al-Hajri, and Hamdi Abdou, country director, Qatar Charity, in attendance, said that the donation was a reflection of the excellent relationship between the state, and the Qatari government.
A statement signed by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, chief press secretary to Governor Namadi, made available to BusinessDay, indicated that the items distributed included: 20 units of passenger tricycles (Keke NAPEP), 20 cargo tricycles, and 20 multipurpose grinding machines—all specially designed for durability and functionality.
Additionally, 100 prepositioned tents were handed over to Jigawa State’s Emergency Management Agency to bolster disaster response capabilities, especially during flood emergencies, the statement stated.
Governor Namadi was said to have expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Qatar Charity and the Qatari government for their continued support, recalling their earlier visit in January 2025 during the commissioning of a multi-purpose community center in Hadejia.
“Many of us would recall that on January 18, 2025, the two dignitaries were in Hadejia for the commissioning of a multi-purpose center established with the support of Qatar Charity. The project included residential and educational facilities, a water scheme, and a mosque, fostering a conducive environment for learning, community, and social development.
“These interventions in Jigawa State perfectly align with our commitment to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. This is particularly so for SDGs 1 to 6, concerned with poverty eradication, achieving food security & nutrition, ensuring access to healthcare services and basic education, empowerment & gender inclusion, and sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation services,” the governor noted
He was said to have commended what is described the sustained contributions of Qatar Charity in water, education, shelter, and religious infrastructure across Jigawa State.
In recognition of the partnership, the governor announced that the State Executive Council has approved the naming of two major township roads and a flagship educational facility in Dutse in honour of Qatari leadership: “Qatar Street” – linking Sani Abacha Way to Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass, and “Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Street” – Yalwawa Junction to FUD Madobi Road, as well as “H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani Mega Tsangaya School” – Dutse, after prominent Qatari citizens that have been of support to the state.
The two new road projects were commissioned by the ambassador and inspected the ongoing construction of the Mega Tsangaya School.
Governor Namadi restated Jigawa’s commitment to pursuing broader economic cooperation, including revisiting collaborative plans with NIRSAL and the Qatar-Nigeria Business Council to boost investment, education, youth development, and research initiatives.
As a complementary gesture, the Jigawa State Government will provide each beneficiary with an additional N50,000 grant to support business start-up costs, as beneficiaries will also sign formal agreements to ensure proper use and monitoring of the equipment, overseen by Qatar Charity in collaboration with the Jigawa State Youth Empowerment and Employment Agency.
In his response, Ambassador Al-Hajiri commended Governor Namadi for his administration’s notable achievements across education, agriculture, infrastructure, and social development. He emphasized the strength of the bilateral relationship.
“Jigawa is unique by its political, economic and societal values, as well as agricultural development. Your vision of a better Jigawa State through several developmental programmes and initiatives is really commendable, and it is reflected in the fact that Jigawa State is, today, one of the most secure states in Nigeria,” the ambassador stated.
