The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has disclosed that his state currently has 900,000 children not enrolled in school.
Bagudu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Babale Yauri disclosed this on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at the National campaign on out of school children in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state.
TheFact Nigeria observed that the current security threat faced by the country is as a result of the large number of out- of – school children.
Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba in his keynote address at the campaign posited that bringing every child on board the ship of education was a National priority which every stake holder must take seriously, adding that no nation can make meaningful progress with a high number of its youths as illiterates.
The Minister maintained that the Federal Ministry of education was determined to ensure that all children of school age who are out of school are returned and retained to complete their Basic and secondary education and possibly transit to tertiary institutions.
He called for synergy amongst stakeholders especially communities where these children exist to ensure that they are given the necessary support to achieve education, adding that this was the only way to achieve a better, reliable, developed and peaceful society.
Hon. Nwajiuba appealed to good spirited individuals and groups to take responsibility for the education of these children, especially for the orphaned who have no one to carter for their educational needs.
The Minister also called on State governments to upscale their efforts in supporting the Federal Government in the task of educating these children, adding that education is a collective responsibility.
The Minister also expressed pain over the remaining 14 students who were abducted at the Federal Government College Birni Yauri sometime last year, calling on all hands to remain on deck for the release of the remaining children.
“My heart and soul are with all Nigerian Children who are still in captivity. I stand with the parents in the circumstance. Govt. Will continue to do all it can to free our children who are being held for what they know nothing about” the Minister reiterated.
Bagudu, in his address, said the state was fully committed to eradicating the out of School Children phenomenal. The Gov said kebbi state has approximately 900,000 out of school children.
From the inception of this administration, the gov said he has committed over 15.5 billion naira towards the construction of 552 classroom blocks, boleholes, toilets and furniture for the course of Out of School Children in the state.
Through series of interventions, the governor said kebbi state has put in place a number of strategies, including sensitisation and massive enrollment drive as well as the provision of necessary and adequate infrastructure.
Further more, His Excellency revealed that 42 nomadic schools have been constructed to provide access to quality education for the children of Nomards and migrant fishermen.
Similarly, the Governor said 167 basic literacy centers have been established for the purpose of integrating Almajiris into formal education. 167 basic literacy centers have been established for Adult and Non Formal education across the 21 Local governments.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of Kebbi State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Prof. Akpama Simon Ibor indicated that Kebbi State is determined to bring back to school, over 500,000 out of school children within the next two years, adding that over 9000 facilitators are being engaged to handle the program.
