UNICEF, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, has initiated a skill acquisition training program for vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls. This project, supported by ELEVA Foundation, aims to enhance the overall well-being of these groups in the state.
During a field visit to Sokoto on Tuesday, UNICEF Child Protection Officer Mr. Ibrahim Sessay announced that the program is being conducted at two Community-Based Child Protection Multipurpose Centres located in Kware and Dange/Shuni Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Sessay revealed that over 4,700 Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls have registered for training in livelihood skills essential for their well-being. The training covers areas such as tailoring, soap making, antiseptic production, and shampoo production. Among the trainees, 3,000 are Almajiri children, while 1,700 are out-of-school adolescent girls from eight LGAs.
Additionally, Sessay mentioned that at least 2,000 out-of-school children have been identified and referred back to schools within the covered LGAs. The multipurpose centres will offer recreational facilities, safe spaces for counseling services, mental health support, psycho-social services, and occupational training.
Sessay appealed to the state government to increase budgetary allocations for sectors impacting children’s education, health, sanitation, and protection to ensure the expansion and sustainability of such interventions. He emphasized the importance of scaling up the initiative to other locations in the state to provide more vulnerable Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls access to education.
UNICEF Sokoto Chief of Field Office, Mr. Michael Juma, highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce the vulnerability of children in the state. Juma noted that the state Arabic and Islamic Education Board, along with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, had identified and registered vulnerable children with support from UNICEF. A comprehensive survey verified and registered 449,523 children, including 113,208 Almajiris and 136,315 out-of-school children and adolescent girls. The initiative also targets other vulnerable groups, such as survivors of gender-based violence and victims of violence against children.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for their support. He emphasized that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration is committed to reducing the number of out-of-school children through deliberate policies aimed at massive enrollment in schools.
The District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammad Dan’Iya, thanked UNICEF and ELEVA Foundation for building and equipping the multipurpose centres. He assured that the community would provide further support to ensure the project’s success.
