By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
In commemoration of the International Day of the African Child,
Plan International Nigeria, in collaboration with IHS Towers and the Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, have distributed no fever than 100 Premium EduKits to vulnerable pupils in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The gesture aimed at removing barriers to learning and promoting access to quality education saw 50 students being given the EduKits at the Junior Secondary School Kubodu, while another 50 benefited at the Junior Secondary School Marafa Nizzamiya.
The EduKits which is designed to support learning throughout the academic term, will also help improve school participation, and encourage regular attendance among vulnerable children as it contains exercise books, writing materials, school bags, water bottles, thermo flasks, school uniform materials, and mini dignity kits.
Speaking at the event, Sokoto State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ladan Ahmad Ala, represented by Abdullahi Altine Durbawa commended the partnership between Plan International Nigeria and IHS Towers, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that complements the Sokoto State Government’s efforts to expand access to quality education, particularly for vulnerable children and girls.
On his part, Dr. Charles Usie who spoke on behalf of the Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, and the donor partner, IHS Towers, the Head of Safety, Security and Government Protocol, Mr. Idowu Ibietan, reaffirmed the organisations’ commitment to supporting children’s education by providing essential learning materials that promote school enrolment, improve retention, and enhance learning outcomes.
Commending PLAN int’l, IHS Towers and other donor agencies in the State, the District Head of Silame and the Principal of Junior Secondary School Kubodu, Nuradeen Kabiru, expressed appreciation to Plan International Nigeria, IHS Towers, and the Sokoto State Government for the intervention.
They noted that the educational materials would ease the burden on many vulnerable families and motivate more children to remain in school.
Reacting to the gesture, some of the pupils who got the EduKits said the educational materials would encourage them to attend school more regularly and improve their academic performance.
They further expressed their gratitude to the organisers just as they promised never to take for granted the huge investment in their future through education.
On why those schools were selected, a source disclosed it was done through a collaborative process using established vulnerability criteria to ensure that the EduKits reached actual children in dire need.
It will be recall that the EduKit distribution forms part of a nationwide initiative by Plan International Nigeria and IHS Towers, through which 200 vulnerable schoolchildren are expected to benefit across Benue and Sokoto States as part of activities commemorating the International Day of the African Child.
