From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The Funded European Union (EU) project known as Accelerating Basic Education and livelihood opportunities for children and youths in Northwest Nigeria, Distributed Income Generating Activities (IGA) to 411 out of school children in Jigawa state.
The project which is a consortium project in Jigawa State is implemented by Save the Children international (SCI),Plan International, DRDI and HANDS.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held on Monday at Kofar fada Gwaram, the coordinator livelihood and economic empowerment of Save the Children International, Mr Enan Timothy explained that, the benefited participants were from out of school children who were from ABEP learners who completed ABEP level 3 from the three local government of Gwaram, Babura and Kafin-Hausa LGA implementing across 20 communities in the 3 LGAs
He said, the selected children undergone studies on literacy and Numeracy and linked to Three (3) Technical and Vocational and Education Training (TVET partners) National Directorates For Employment (NDE), Sate Agency For Mass Education (SAME) and Jigawa State Empowerment Agency for three months vocational skills training for them to remain self reliant.
“Today we are flagging off the distribution of Income Generating Activities (IGA) Kits/graduation and presentation of certificates to participants in Jigawa state “, he said.
According to him, the program which is under Accelerating Basic Education and livelihood opportunities for children and Youths aimed at addressing out of school children challenges, reduce poverty and improve the life of children and vulnerable youths in the community.
The coordinator maintained that the project targeted (60% female and 40% male) out of school children from northwestern Nigeria including Jigawa State.
He then commended other partners HANDS, traditional leaders and Jigawa State government for the cooperation towards the success of the project adding that the other phase of the project will soon continue to meet the target number of the participants.
While delivering his remarks, the District Head of Gwaram, Alhaji Abubakar Tijjani said, the project funded by EU and implemented by Save The Children in Jigawa state will no doubt reduce the rampant early marriage, divorce as the participants will now have business to support themselves and their households.
The District Head then, commended European Union EU, Save the Children International SCI, HANDS for the effort and urged other partners to emulate SCI for better development.
Also delivering her speech, the Jigawa State commissioner for Women affairs and social development Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab who was represented by Director Child Hajiya Halima Yusif Usman commended EU and SCI for supporting Jigawa state.
She then called on participants to use the vocational Kits properly to remain self reliant.
