The National Youth Council of Nigeria, North-West zone, has applauded steps taken by the
The Vice-President of the zone, Jamilu Karama, made the commendation when he led other officials of the group on a courtesy visit to the office of the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday.
Mr. Karama particularly commended government’s initiative to integrate the Almajiri education into the Universal Basic Education system to address the “out-of-school population.”
“It is on record that as at the last count, 120 of such schools have been established, scattered all over the country, particularly in the North-West zone where the menace is high,” he said.
He, however, appealed to government to increase the number of the Almajiri schools and expand scholarship opportunities to reach the less privileged youths, to enable them enroll in formal schools.
Mr. Karama also requested that government put in place, a mechanism to assist youth who have received one form of skill acquisition or the other, to start up and grow their own businesses. He noted that the inability of such youth to start and run businesses was the main reason why previous efforts of government to empower them had yielded little results in terms of employment generation.
The Minister was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, MacJohn Nwaobiala, who said that a nation that aspired to grow and pursue lofty heights must not neglect the youth.
He said that the Federal Government’s intervention at the Basic Education level, and other interventions, was to ensure that children/youth, who are leaders of tomorrow, were given enabling environment to develop their potentials.
While assuring the group of the Ministry’s continued support, he urged them to be focused and never allow any individual or group to manipulate them for personal gain as the country heads towards another general election.
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