Ibrahim Suleiman
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has called for stronger partnerships among governments, non-governmental organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to address the growing challenge of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.
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He made the call at the graduation ceremony of 120 girls trained under a skills development programme organised through a collaboration between the Centre for Girls Child Education and the Division of Agricultural Colleges, ABU.
The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Advancement and Innovation, Professor Sunusi Aliyu Rafin Dadi, 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.
Professor Ahmed noted that the challenge of out-of-school children was too large for government or any single organisation to tackle alone, stressing the need to pursue education and economic empowerment simultaneously.
He 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.
The Vice-Chancellor assured that ABU was ready to work with governments and other partners across Northern Nigeria to develop, adapt and scale programmes capable of bringing more children, particularly girls, back into education and productive economic activities.
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He urged the graduates 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 of the Division of Agricultural Colleges, ABU, Professor Bashir Babaji, said the programme was designed to give out-of-school girls a second chance by equipping them with practical skills that could improve their livelihoods.
He said the 120 graduates were trained in different areas of the agricultural value chain, including tomato and goat production, beekeeping, catering and restaurant management.
Professor 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, the Director of the Centre for Girls Child Education, Hajia Habiba Muhammad, urged the graduates to share the knowledge and skills they acquired with their families and communities.
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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 graduates 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.