By Ibrahim Suleiman.
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has called for stronger partnerships among governments, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to address the growing challenge of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor made the call while speaking at the graduation ceremony of 120 girls trained under a skills development programme organised through collaboration between the Centre for Girls Child Education and Division of Agricultural Colleges held in Zaria.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Advancement and Innovation Prof. Sunusi Aliyu Rafin daɗi, the Vice Chancellor said the collaboration demonstrated what could be achieved when organisations combined their expertise, facilities and resources to address the educational and economic needs of vulnerable girls.
He noted that the challenge of out-of-school children was too large for government or a single organisation to tackle alone, stressing the need to pursue education and economic empowerment simultaneously.
Prof. Ahmed appealed to state and local governments, NGOs, development organisations, private-sector players and elected representatives to support similar initiatives that provide vulnerable young people with education and practical skills.
He assured of the University’s readiness to work with governments and other partners across Northern Nigeria to develop, adapt and scale programmes capable of bringing more children, particularly girls, back to School and economic activities.
The Vice Chancellor urged the graduands to make effective use of the skills acquired, continue learning, support one another and use their knowledge to create opportunities for others.
Also speaking, the Director, Division of Agricultural Colleges, A.B.U, Professor Bashir Babaji, said the programme was designed to give out-of-school girls another chance by equipping them with skills that could improve their livelihoods.
He said the 120 graduands were trained in different areas of the agricultural value chain, including tomato and goat production, beekeeping, as well as catering and restaurant management.
Prof Babaji called on government and non-governmental organisations to adopt similar approaches and support initiatives aimed at addressing societal challenges while contributing to food security and economic growth.
In her remarks, Director Centre for Girl Child Education, Hajiya Habiba Muhammad, urged the graduands to share the knowledge and skills acquired with their families and communities.
She expressed appreciation to the Division of Agricultural Colleges for supporting the programme, and prayed that the graduates would become productive members of society and make positive contributions to Nigeria.
Some of the graduands expressed appreciation to the Centre for Girls Child Education for supporting their training and pledged to share the knowledge and skills acquired with members of their communities.
Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
