Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has pledged to shoulder the education of the children of Internally Displaced Persons IDPs within the nation’s capital Abuja.
The Administration made the commitment, through its Department of Mass Education Committee on the out-of-school children and Internally Displaced Children in the FCT as part of its intervention mandate to the various lDP camps within the Federal capital territory.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relation unit, FCT Education Secretariat, Mr Kabir Musa, the intervention activities led by the Chairman and Director, Department of Mass Education, Hajia Titilayo Alayande was one among many interventions carried out in the past.
Speaking after the donations of food items and provision of learning materials to the three IDP’s centres spread across Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, the Director said, the intervention is just one part of the Department mandates which is very key in sustaining the learner’s interest in the provision of affordable and accessible education for all.
She further explained that, the committee’s task among others is to ensure the out-of-school children and Internally Displaced Children have education and skill development, livelihood counselling and gender based issues .
She went further to explain that in fulfilling these mandates, the commitee commenced their task without delay.
She noted that the FCT Administration is greatly concerned and have taken practical measures to intervene by putting in place the committee to seek ways of catering for these categories of people while motivating them towards achieving holistic education for all.
According to her, the Life Builders Education Initiative, a Non Governmental Organization was discovered when she assumed office and they have visited, monitored and involved them in their various activities such as International Literacy Day and Children’s Day celebration among other activities.
She commended the NGO for their humanity efforts adding that they still need supports from other organisations on feeding and start off fund after acquiring skills.
Alayande also stated that the NGO is complementing Government efforts and assured them of the FCT Administration concern in this regards.
She appreciated the Honourable Minister, Minister of State and Permanent Secretary for their commitment in making education affordable and accessible.
Providing relief
In his brief, the Chief Executive of the NGO, Life Builders Education lnitiative, Dr Sanwoola David said, it is heartwarming for them to receive this enormous intervention from the Department of Mass Education Committee on out-of-School children and Internally Displaced Children of the Education Secretariat.
He explained that they have high expectations from the government in their various centres across the FCT and Nasarawa state, adding that, the efforts of DME will significantly get children and youth off the streets.
He added that those at the centers at the moment are eager to learn while calling on well meaning individuals to support them in the areas of Scholarship, Home-grown School feeding and Skill Acquisition training among their needs.
He expressed delight for the intervention adding that the centre is engaged in basic education, skill acquisition, fish farming and have clinics where their parents come for medical needs.
While emphasizing that the population is growing each day and the children’s ability to learn is encouraging, Dr David urged well meaningful individuals to come to their aids and provide them with education in other to ameliorate their sufferings and traumatic experiences.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director and DME Zonal Coordinator of AMAC, Mrs Victoria Nwaorgu said, the intervention by the DME is a great relief to ease their burden noting that they have been coming to the various centres to engage and assist them.
She added that, there is need for the establishment of literacy and skill acquisition centres in the five centres to be manned by their facilitators.
The highlight of the intervention activities was the donation of food items, provision of learning materials to the centres visited which are Karu, Dagba, New kuchingoro, Karomajiji and Wassa centres respectively.
Emmanuel Ukoh
