From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
A non Governmental Organization Known as Save the Children International (SCI) with support From European Union (EU) has boosted the vocational skills of 411 Out of school children in Jigawa state.
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 out of school children were carefully selected with support of traditional leaders from three local government of Gwaram, Babura and Kafin-Hausa areas.
He said, the selected children undergone studies on literacy and Numeracy and linked with National Directorates For Employment (NDE), Sate Agency For Mass Education (SAME) and Jigawa State Empowerment Agency for nine months vocational skills training for them to remain self reliant.
“Today we are flagging off the distribution of Income Generating Activities (IGA) Kits/Vocational skills training 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 our of school children challenges, reduce poverty and improve the life of children and vulnerable.
The coordinator maintained that, ABEP project targeted 20,000 (60% female and 40% male) out of school children from northwestern Nigeria including Jigawa State.
He then commended other partners, traditional leaders and Jigawa 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 beneficiaries.
While delivering his remarks, the District Head of Gwaram, Alhaji Abubakar Tijjani said, the ABEP project will no doubt reduce the rampant marriage’ divorce as the beneficiary will now have business to support their husbands and parents.
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 beneficiaries to use the vocational Kits properly to remain self reliant.
