By Femi Mustapha
Save the Children International(SCI) and Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition(KADSPAC) have taken sensitization on Social Protection Policy and Girl Child Education to Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The sensitization program which took place at the Local government hall was witnessed by different stakeholders, such as; Women groups, Youth group, People living with Disabilities, Traditional/ Religious leaders among others of the communities.
Welcoming the participants, Chairman of the LGA, Engr. Kabiru Muazu Mayere said his administration will focus on girl’s child education and ensure the implementation of Kaduna State Social protection policy in the area.
The Chairman who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Shuaibu Alkassim explained that there are some interventions by the Council to people living with Disabilities(PWDs) in the area.
He also said during the Covid-19 lockdown the local government distributed palliatives to the poor and vulnerable.
In his remarks, the Social Protection Champion in the Local government, Ibrahim Bako Tanko said Girl Child education is a commitment Nigeria made with the United Nations ( UN), and the local government must work towards ensuring that barriers to girls’ Child education such as; Socio-cultural, Insecurity, access, among others which hitherto affect the girls’ child education must be addressed.
On her part, the women leader in Makarfi Local government area of Kaduna State, Hajiya Aisha Muhammed, called on Kaduna State Government to enforce the Kaduna State Child Welfare law by arresting and prosecuting Parents who encourage their children to drop out of school.
She noted that Poverty is not the main reason that forces many children to be on the streets today rather it is the Ignorance and arrogancy of some parents that encourages such acts.
She added that in the state education is free, but some parents are not taking advantage of it rather prefer to send their wards to the streets for begging and hawking.
The Women leader, however, said the Government Social protection policy for the poor and vulnerable is a welcome development but the parents must also play their parts to ensure that the efforts are not jettisoned.
Speaking earlier CEO/PM Carelink Resource foundation), a Member of KADSPAC, Mr. Silas Spencer Ideva
said stakeholders have a critical role to play in ensuring that the Vulnerable in the society are protected and supported to attain basic minimum support services for improved livelihood.
He stressed that KADSPAC will continue to support the SP champions and the community to promote improved knowledge on Social protection and the need to support girl child education from local households in Kaduna State, given the goodwill of the government of Kaduna State.
Mr. Ideva added that this will provide a gateway to end poverty and improve the household income and the economy of Kaduna State.
He thanked all the stakeholders present at the town hall meeting for making the event realistic.
