Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment and National Coordinator At Risk Children Programme, Mariam Uwais addressing facilitators in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Photo: Chris Nyamtu
The Federal Government says it will remain committed to ensuring full enforcement of laws on the protection of Nigerian children and vulnerable groups across the country.
The Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, Mariam Uwais stated this during the closing ceremony of a three-week training of youth facilitators for “At Risk Children Programme” in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
At Risk Children Programme is a federal government initiative aimed at reaching out to Nigerian children who are disconnected from their families and society.
In Nasarawa State, more than 650 unemployed youths were engaged in training to acquire various skills as facilitators of the programme.
Addressing the facilitators, Mrs Uwais said the federal government will continue to set aside substantial funds for programmes aimed at taking the Nigerian child off the street.
According to her, each of the facilitators who are entitled to a monthly stipend of N30,000 is expected to send progress reports to government on the at Risk Children training programme.
Two of the facilitators, Mbewashi Danboyi and Joel Ovey, said they were trained in knitting, sawing, shoe-making, as well as tie and dye and crop production.
Reporting by Chris Nyamtu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade, Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor