From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has trained 90 youths to serve as champions of behaviour change across the state.
The training was announced by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, during the Youth Summit for Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) held in Sokoto.
Danchadi said the summit was designed to strengthen youth-led communication, amplify their voices, and equip them with skills to drive positive social transformation in their communities.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment—under Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto—to sustaining its collaboration with UNICEF, describing the partnership as a model of how government and development organisations can achieve meaningful and lasting impact when working together.
The Commissioner urged participants to take ownership of the SBC agenda by actively engaging, sharing ideas, and promoting responsible social practices.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Mr. Michael Juma, charged the youths to build a stronger, coordinated network capable of influencing change at the grassroots.
He outlined UNICEF’s ongoing interventions in the state, including vaccination, education, healthcare delivery, nutrition, water, sanitation, and climate-related programmes.
Juma stressed the importance of engaging young people to mobilise communities to access essential services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Both the Commissioner and the UNICEF official praised the steady growth of the partnership, saying it has continued to improve lives across the state.
The summit aims to promote a healthier, safer, and better-informed Sokoto State.
