The United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has in collaboration with the Sokoto state government inaugurated Digital Village for Almajiri and Out-of-School adolescent girls.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said the initiative reflects the UNICEF commitment to bridging the digital divide for most vulnerable and underserved children
“By equipping Almajiris and out of School Adolescent Girls with digital skills, we are building their capacity to thrive in a tech- driven World,” she said.
Ms. Cristian who was represented at the ceremony by Chief of Field Office Sokoto, Mr Michael Juma, said the UNICEF would continue to collaborate with Sokoto state government to strengthen interventions aimed at preventing violence, abuse neglect and exploration of children
She said that the digital and skills acquisition village is an investment aimed at proactively addressing child vulnerabilities, building resilience and unlocking the potential for Almajiri and out-of-school adolescent girls who are often left behind.
“This Digital Village and Sills Acquisition centre was aimed to close the digital divide by providing children and young people lacking adequate parental care as well as the surrounding vulnerable communities with meaningful access to digital technology and digital literacy skills to support their education, protection and development needs as well life skills, acquiring skills for empowerment of girls and boys, entrepreneurial training.
“We as development actors also have an important role to play in the implementation of the policies and strategies to ensure that families and community support systems, as well as Sub-National governments, communities and traditional systems to provide a conducive and sustainable system for children to thrive.”
She that there are over 13.2 million out-of-school children in Nigeria and 69% of them are from Northern Nigeria and out of these figures 60% of them are girls.
It is important to note that there are an estimated 9.5 million Almajiri across the country, with the highest concentration in the Northern part of the country
Also speaking, the UNICEF Chief Child Nutrition and Development, Ms Nemat Hajeebhoy reaffirmed the UNICEF resolve and commitment to safeguarding the health and dignity of every child.
She added that UNICEF was committed to support the Sokoto state to implement Child Nutrition policy in an
effective and efficient manner.
“We have a unique window of opportunity through the Child Nutrition Fund,”
“A one-to-one match fund – where every Naira invested by Sokoto State wil be matched by one Naira from the Fund.”
Also speaking, the governor of Sokoto state , Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, described the initiative as a game changer and another significant step to remodel the lives of Almajiris and Out of School Adolescents Girls in the state