Sokoto will continue to partner UNICEF in addressing plights of Almajiris – Tambuwal

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has reiterated that his administration would continue to support UNICEF and other development partners in addressing the plights of street urchin also known as Almajris in the state.

Governor Tambuwal spoke on Sunday when he received UNICEF-Nigeria Chief Of Child Protection, Mr Ibrahim Sessey, UNICEF Sokoto Chief Of Field Office, Mrs Maryam Said, UNICEF, Sokoto Field Office Child Protection Specialist, Mr Pius Uwamanua and others.

He added that, Sokoto people will remain grateful to development partners for their support to the state.

According to the governor, “UNICEF has once again given them another milestone, by not only providing verifiable data on Almajiri in the state but also coming up with measures to help address the syndrome.

”We have 10 months to go. But we will ensure that we implement what is part of our responsibility.

‘We have every reason to celebrate that the Almajiri data is coming from UNICEF. We shall continue to collaborate with UNICEF and any other development partners for the overall good of our people.

“Data is key to all that we are doing and the most important component of planning. The Almajiri data provided us by the UNICEF will go along way in helping us as we work together towards addressing the Almajiri challenge.

“Our government is ever ready to work with you. Our government is ready to continue with the partnership in all of the areas we signed MoU with you”. Tambuwal assured UNICEF.

The governor further commended the guidance, support and royal blessings of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 and other officials for being behind their successes.

Speaking earlier in her opening remarks, the Head UNICEF, Sokoto Field Office, Maryam Said thanked Sokoto State Government for the support it continues to enjoy all these while.

Maryam while admiring Sokoto for having had an approved legislative framework for protection of children in the state, added that the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is the first in Nigeria to release 50 million naira as counterpart funding for numerous developmental interventions in the state.

On his part, UNICEF-Nigeria Chief of Child Protection, Mr Ibrahim Sessey said it is a big day for them in UNICEF getting the nod of Sokoto State Government at all times.

Sessey therefore stressed that they are on a courtesy visit to Governor Tambuwal to have a conversation on the future of Almajiri and other vulnerable children in the state.

While admitting that should Nigeria gets it right, all other African countries will be better for it, Mr Sessey noted that though it might seems a long journey but taking the first right step is very important towards reaching the desired goal.

“The data as sponsored by UNICEF and researched by Sokoto State Arabic and Islamic Board in conjunction with Zakkat and Endowment Commission as well as the Ministry for Women and Children Affairs was designed to delivers change for Almajiri and out of school adolescent girls in Sokoto State”, he said.

Giving insight into the data, Mr Sessey said, there are about 230,535 documented Almajiri and out of school adolescent girls in Sokoto.

He however noted that, 99 percent of Almajiri are away from their parents and under the care of their respective Mallams.

While 85 percent of the vulnerable girls in Sokoto are under the care of their parents, yet out of school and 2 percent of these girls have no access to care, while 1.3 percent of them are also living independently.

“But with support from UNICEF, the state actors have designed an integrated policy and multi-sectoral response plan for Almajiris in Sokoto State as part of interventions to respond to the situation”. Mr Sessey assured governor Tambuwal