Sokoto’s out of school children drops by half, UNICEF declares
The United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF), Sokoto Office outgoing Chief Field Officer, Muhammad Muhuiddin, on Tuesday said the number of Out of School Children (OOSC) in Sokoto state has dropped from 69% in 2015 to 37% this year.
Before the sharp drop, Sokoto state had the highest number of OOSC in the country.
Muhuiddin who spoke at a reception organised by the Sokoto state in his honour after completing his tour of duty said the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for 2016-2017 showed that Sokoto has made appreciable progress, resulting in over 50 percent cut in the number.
According to the outgoing UNICEF Official, “it gladdens my heart seeing the commitment shown by the political leadership and the technical teams set up by the government to work with UNICEF and partners in various sectors for the children of Sokoto.
“We have achieved significant changes in results, and I have to say, these changes are positive, and unique in Nigeria. It is always satisfying when you implement projects and see the results and the impact these results have made.
“Of special joy for me is the number of girls in schools at the moment. The other day, we inspected some projects in schools in Binji and in a class of 48 pupils, we saw 36 girls as against 12 boys. It was a good measure of the progress made and i urge you to sustain it,” he said.
However, Muhuiddin who is incharge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states urged the government to do more especially in the area of routine immunisation, expressing hope and optimism that the plans put together will have positive impact in the next two to four years.
In his remarks, Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal commended Muhuiddin for the commitment, passion and dexterity he showed while in Sokoto, adding that the people of the state would miss a dear friend.
“We will miss you. To us, you are a friend and reliable partner who took his job of saving humanity with all the seriousness it deserves.
“The people and government of Sokoto state wish you success in your future assignment in Calcutta, India,” he added.
