By Gami Tadanyigbe
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with Kaduna and Niger states to deliver sustainable humanitarian interventions and expand social protection programmes across the country.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, gave the assurance while receiving separate delegations from the Kaduna State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management during courtesy visits to his office in Abuja.
During his meeting with the Kaduna State delegation, led by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Comrade Yunana Markus Barde, and the Chairman of the Kaduna State House of Assembly Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Umar Auwal Bajimi, the minister underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to working closely with state governments through the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS).
Dr. Doro highlighted ongoing reforms within the ministry, including the recently launched National Poverty Lab, which is aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and accelerating poverty reduction efforts nationwide.
He commended the Kaduna State Commissioner for his active participation in the Ministry’s flagship programmes, including the launch of OHOPRS, and expressed his readiness to visit Kaduna State to further strengthen collaboration and advance shared humanitarian priorities.
Comrade Yunana Markus Barde praised the ministry’s efforts in fostering stronger partnerships with state governments.
He appealed for Federal Government support for humanitarian councils established across Kaduna’s local government areas and requested enhanced interventions for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the state.
In a separate meeting, the minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Niger State Government in addressing humanitarian challenges.
The Niger State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, alongside the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other senior officials.
Dr. Inga commended the ministry for building stronger partnerships with state humanitarian institutions, describing the renewed collaboration as timely and impactful.
He noted that Niger State continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and appealed for sustained Federal Government support to address the needs of affected communities.
He also acknowledged previous humanitarian interventions by the ministry in the state, describing them as beneficial and impactful.
Responding, Dr. Doro appreciated the delegation for the visit and reiterated that effective humanitarian action depends on strong partnerships among all tiers of government.
He assured both Kaduna and Niger states of the ministry’s continued support through coordinated, people-centred and sustainable interventions aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable Nigerians and strengthening humanitarian response mechanisms Nationwide.