By Linus Aleke
The British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, meets with the Governors of Kano and Jigawa States, the Emirs of Kano and Dutse, UK development and business partners, and CSOs to explore areas of collaboration in the States.
Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Abuja, Ms. Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, in a statement, said the British envoy visited Kano and Jigawa States between the 8th and 11th of August for high-level discussions with the state governors and key stakeholders in the state government, civil society, business, and traditional leaders.
The statement said that during the four-day visit, the High Commissioner visited the Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi.
“They discussed the 20 years partnership that had existed between Kano and Jigawa States and strengthened through the Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) and strategic dialogue engagements. Through Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF), the UK has supported the Jigawa and Kano state governments’ efforts to implement reforms that will improve economic livelihoods and business, education and health, and governance,” the statement disclosed.
The statement added that during his visits, the High Commissioner visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Hameem Muhammadu Sanusi.
The High Commissioner, the statement said, sought their insights and advice and encouraged them to continue to support UK programmes in the state.
The High Commissioner also met with UK-funded programme partners and representatives of civil society organisations in Kano and Jigawa states who gave a run down on the implementation of their programmes and some of the great opportunities in both states.
The statement said: “In Jigawa State, he met with the Deputy Governor Engr. Aminu Usman and the Director General of Invest Jigawa, Hajia Furera Jumare and other business leaders in the state to explore possible areas of partnerships to help boost economic growth and create jobs”.
Ambassador Montgomery, said: “Visiting Kano and Jigawa States was a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders. I was able to listen and learn, and gain insights about some of our UK-funded programmes and the impact they have made so far, and the challenges and opportunities they identified. In both states, the UK has had over 20 years of strong partnership. We very much want to continue our partnerships with these states – both their governments and people. We want to support their efforts to enhance economic prosperity, improve health and education and share expertise where useful”.
