The Commissioner of Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, has expressed appreciation to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), development partners, and participants at the close of a five-day capacity-building training on result-based management, data analysis, and report writing.
THESTORIES reports that Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is vital to promoting transparency and good governance as it provides a structured framework for tracking the performance, effectiveness, and accountability of government policies, programs, and resource use. By systematically collecting and analyzing data, M&E helps identify gaps, inefficiencies, and corruption, ensuring that public officials are held accountable and that development efforts align with stated goals. This not only builds public trust but also supports evidence-based decision-making, fosters responsiveness, and strengthens institutional integrity and citizen engagement in governance processes.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Zayyana, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Maryam Ahmad Barade, described the training as “a great moment” in strengthening the capacity of UNFPA programme officers and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers in the state.
He appreciated the state governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, for granting the Ministry the opportunity to coordinate such a vital exercise, which she said would go a long way in improving planning and decision-making processes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“This training is very critical as it relates to building the capacity of UNFPA programme officers and M&E officers on monitoring and evaluation and its importance in decision-making,” she stated. “It also aimed at strengthening participants’ knowledge of result-based management, data collection and analysis, and enhancing the use of M&E tools for effective reporting.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary commended the Commissioner for his resilience and commitment to ensuring the successful conduct of the training, while acknowledging the financial and technical support provided by the UNFPA.
She extended her gratitude to all participants drawn from various MDAs, civil society organisations, and the media, saying their presence and active involvement contributed significantly to the programme’s success.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, I thank all of you for your commitment and endurance throughout the five days of training. I wish you a pleasant journey back to your various destinations,” she concluded.
