The Gombe State Government has distributed 1,500 goats and 5, 000 Noiler Chickens to one thousand households, under the At- Risk-Children Project, ARC-P, to uplift the living standards of vulnerable children through economic empowerment.
The livestock was distributed to the beneficiaries by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, who congratulated the beneficiaries.
Dr Jatau charged them to make judicious use of the livestock towards boosting their economy and not to sell it.
“My dear residents of Gombe State, you are very much aware that in his desire to ensure that Gombe State benefits from the many programmes initiated by development partners, and other concerned organizations, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ARC-P National Office to implement At-Risk Children Project (ARC-P) in the state. Needless to say that the debut of this project is very apt, germane, necessary and indeed inevitable based on the events and happenings in the society that has impacted negatively on the economic life of the population. Of course, children are those at a greater risk for obvious reasons,” said Dr Jatau.
He said a series of engagements were carried out by the Gombe State Government, such as the engagement of 500 Youth Facilitators to mentor the beneficiaries, undertook a three-week induction training to equip the 500fFacilitators with knowledge on how to handle the children professionally, as well as the identification and allocation of benefiting children to the Facilitators.
According to him, Gombe State was selected based on the provision of enabling environment for the enrollment of a substantial number of children that were not in school.
He said the measure had afforded the children to have basic knowledge, civic engagement and vocational skills, which had given them the opportunity of discovering their potential as members of society.
“It is prevalent that, the major challenges and drivers of risks to children and young adults about Gombe State peculiarities include, but are not limited to, Gender-Based and Sexual Violence: Child rape, domestic violence, sexual assault of both girls and boys. Almajiri and street children, Child marriage, and divorce, Drugs and substance abuse Street, hawking by children, School dropout, Seasonal child labour commonly known as “Barema,” the Gombe State Deputy Governor noted.
He said the gesture speaks to the seven Pillars of the ARC-Programme in Gombe State, tagged “GATEKEEPER INCENTIVE”, to empower the Caregiver to prepare their mindset to continue allowing their children to attend classes and build the economic values and living standards.
Dr Jatau said it was encouraging to that similar distribution was carried out earlier on Wednesday for another set of 500 households, who received 10 one-week-old Noiler Chicks, one bag of feed and divertamin.
He commended L&Z Integrated Farms Kano and Amo Farm Lagos for the timely and successful delivery of 1,500 goats and 5,000 five weeks old Noiler Chickens for the Gombe of the ARC-P National Office.
Deputy Governor Jatau urged the beneficiaries to bear in mind that the gesture came with a robust strategy to monitor the management of the animals and as such should desist from selling them, but use them to improve their living standards.
If you perform well, more of such assistance will be extended to you. It is my singular honour and privilege on behalf of the Gombe State Government to declare the distribution of 1,500 goats to 500 Caregivers in Gombe State for the improvement of the standard of living of the residents in the state and by implication the society,” Dr Jatau said.
The Overseer of the At-Risk- Children- Project, Gombe State, Muhammad Umar Faruk, said the project was at reaching out to 1, 000 households, with five hundred households getting goats and the other five hundred Noiler Chickens.
“I feel highly pleased to welcome you all to the flagging-off of 1500 and 5000 goats and Noiler Chickens for distribution to ARC-P Caregivers across 11 LGAs in Gombe State,” Faruk said.
He said that to consolidate the project gains, the office had during the first tenure of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, received full custody of 450 Food items and coolers for the commencement of feeding, and sporting kits.
“Hausa translated book ( koyon lissafi mataki na farko) 20010 pieces, Hausa translated book ( mu koyi karatu da rubutu littafin dalibai, 18309 pieces, test kits for ascertaining drug consumption level for 2nd batch GoSTEC recruitment, 1000 pieces, kitchen utensils( food container, plates and spoons) 2689 pieces, and ARC-P youth facilitators step-by-step guide numbering 510 pieces,” Mr Faruk said.
He said, after the empowerment of the caregivers, the ARC-P Office planned to begin feeding across their temporary community hubs twice a week, to further motivate the children to attend lessons.
Mr Faruk explained that adequate arrangements had been made to monitor the beneficiaries and report back to ensure they do not sell out what is given to them.
Some of the beneficiaries, Adamu Hussaini and Yalwaji Umar, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, appreciated the Government for empowering them, praying to God to bless the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
