By Johnson Umishi
The World Bank has commended Nasarawa State for achieving tremendous success under the NG-CARES programme, describing the results from the state as setting a very good example for other states, Nigeria as a whole and beyond to emulate.
Dr. Lire Ersado, World Bank’s Task Team Leader of NG-Cares, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday.
While appreciating Governor Sule for investing in poor and vulnerable people in the state, the World Bank announced that it is moving into the next phase of the NG-CARES programme, where it would be focusing more on sustaining the gains that have been made, and enhancing institutions that deliver these key services for the poor and vulnerable.
“What we discussed was to greatly appreciate and congratulate the State of Nasarawa for the great achievement under NG-CARES. The results from Nasarawa are very impressive and set a very good example for other states and for Nigeria and beyond. We want His Excellency to know how much we appreciate all the investments that he is making for the poor and vulnerable people of Nasarawa State,” Dr. Ersado stated.
While noting that the World Bank will be focusing more on consolidating the gains so far made, the Task Team Leader harped on the importance of continued investment in the people of the state, with particular emphasis on investing in the social register of the state.
According to Ersado, even though Nasarawa State is doing a good job, the World Bank wants the state to be able to include all the poor and vulnerable in the social register.
“I spoke on the importance of continued investment in the people of Nasarawa and, in particular, the importance of investing in the social registry of the state. Nasarawa is already doing a good job, but we want more to include all the poor and vulnerable and beyond. We all know that when poverty or shock strikes, the state has to be ready to provide support and immediate notice. When flooding, drought, or pandemics like Covid strike, the state needs to be ready to deliver support to the poor and vulnerable,” he said.
The World Bank representative was led on the visit by Umar Ibrahim Dahiru, Nasarawa State Coordinator/CEO, NG-CARES programme.
