As part of her itinerary in Niger state, Dr Edu also flagged off the presentation of starter packs to 400 N-Skills beneficiaries. Photo: Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu says her Ministry’s is collaborating with UNICEF and state Governments to construct new transit schools and low-cost homes for over 11,000 out-of-school children and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in Niger State.
The Minister stated this when she visited IDPs displaced by bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of the State.
Dr Edu said her Ministry would be working with the Niger State government and UNICEF to provide transit learning areas in the state as a stop-gap measure to enable the affected pupils continue with their studies.
“The current staggering figure of out of school children in Nigeria is not good for the country. As you know, education is the foundation, and if we must fight poverty, we must return our children to school because that is the key and the beginning of ending the circle of poverty”
The Federal Government is considering options of providing a resettlement centre in the interim where IDPs can resettle and vacate the school premises they are presently occupying so that our children can return to their classes” Dr Edu said.
The equipment given to the out-of-school children and IDPs is expected to help them improve their livelihoods. Photo: Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
The Niger State First Lady, Hajia Fatima Umaru Bago, commended the Minister and President Tinubu for their interest in the humanitarian needs of the people of the state and Nigeria in general.
Reporting by Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Daniel Adejo