At-Risk-Children Project: Sokoto traditional leaders engaged to support FG

By Muhammad Nasir

Sokoto Jan. 10, 2023

The implementation Committee of the Federal Government’s At- Risk-Children Project in Sokoto State have held an interactive meeting with traditional leaders to discuss modalities towards the success of the project in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting, which took place on Tuesday in Sokoto, had in attendance the 87 district heads of the state.

Addressing the participants, Malam Lawal Maidoki, the leader of the project in the state sought the leaders’ support and commitment towards assisting the vulnerable and out-of-school children in the country.

Maidoki, the state Chairman, Zakkat and Endowment Commission, said the meeting was convened to engage the leaders on how to achieve the purpose of the project.

“The At-Risk-Project, if properly implemented, would reduce youth restiveness, begging and promote socio-economic development of our society.

“Your expected role as leaders who are closer to the society is to identify the target beneficiaries and monitor the conduct of the project in your respective areas,” he said.

In his remarks, Prof. Yakubu Gobir, the Committee’s Secretary, said the project which was under the supervision of the Vice President’s office was aimed at restructuring the almajiri system of education.

“This initiative is in order to educate and train vulnerable children as well as offer them an opportunity to compete fairly with other children across the country.

“The project intends to accomplish a policy framework that requires thorough social engineering to provide entrepreneurship skills to out- of-school children.

“More so, it will reposition the almajiri system of education for social-security and economic development of the country,” he said.

NAN reports that the traditional leaders commended the initiative, with a pledge to work to ensure its success in the best interest of the society.