Sultan restates commitment to girl-child education

By Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has assured of responsive synergy with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners in driving the course for the girl child education.

According to the Sultan who spoke in Sokoto when he received a delegation of top UNICEF officials from across Abuja, Kano and  Sokoto on a courtesy call said the girl child education programme initiative was relevant to societal development.

He noted that the desired target of getting the all-girl child educated has not been realised even as he pointed out that “we are not disappointed at the speed towards ensuring mass literacy is achieved in Sokoto State.”

Abubakar further said a summit tagged “Keeping the Girls in School” would soon be held in order to deepen the initiative for the education of the girl child.

In his farewell remark to retiring Mohammedeen Fall, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, the monarch said the official’s departure as a friend and resilient individual in his work will surely and be missed.

“Though he is leaving, yet he is with us in spirit because of the good relationship we share and wish him the best,” Abubakar said.

He described the development partners as key stakeholders in shaping and making the society beneficial place for all while saying “our doors are open and always ready to receive you, people, for your roles.”

While noting that extending support to the society remains important to survival, the royal father added” help is the most important thing in life. Without help, people cannot do anything.”

On the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on human survival, Abubakar said the pandemic has brought a number of things to a standstill even though normalcy is not yet achieved but we are better”, as he observed with concern that some across Africa and Nigeria were yet to believe the pandemic was real.

The Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Rushnan Murtaza, and Dr Aboubacar Kampo, the Director, Health Section, UNICEF Headquarters, New York, acknowledged all efforts, support and contributions of the Sultan towards all initiatives piloted by development partners.

“We appreciate because it has greatly assisted in our years of programmes in Nigeria and Sokoto, especially,” he said.

They sought more synergy in the aspects of education and health while noting that the monarch’s great influence and vision will greatly help in achieving more results in the country.

Others on the UNICEF delegation included Mr Maulid Warfa, Acting Chief, Field Coordination Services and Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano; Ms Raganai Matema, Health Manager, Sokoto Field Office; Paula, Health Section Abuja and Mr Samuel, Kalu, the new UNICEF Information Officer.