OVER 11,000 CHILDREN DECLARE AS OUT OF SCHOOL IN NIGER.(PHOTO).

Over 11, 000 Children Declare as out of School in Niger

A total of eleven thousand one hundred and thirteen children in Niger state have been out of school within the last eight years.

While over four hundred primary and secondary schools have been closed due to banditry within the same period under review.

State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Alh Ahmad Suleiman Yumu announced this when the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu flagged off the distribution of relief materials and grinding engines to the Internally Displaced Persons at Gwada camp in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Alh Ahmad Suleiman Yumu who said this is under the National Social Investment Programme lamented that banditry and kidnappings had disrupted farming activities in Niger state, with twenty nine thousand seven hundred and seventy four farmers displaced across the twenty five Local Government Areas.

 He ssid they compriss of seven thousand six hundred and fifty women, three thousand tro hundred and one men and eleven one hundred and thirteen children have been out of school in the last 8 years with one hundred and eight people with special needs.

Alh Ahmad Suleiman said Niger state government had distributed Palliative to the victims of banditry in Munya, Mariga, Mashegu, Rijau among others while kinetic and non kinetic approach being adopted in restoring peace in the affected Communities.

"He however state that lack of conducive IDP camps, and social amenities such as portable drinking water, medical facilities, toilet facilities, conducive learning environment amongst others are major challenges they are confronted with." He said.

The Commissioner called for a robust partnership and synergy with the federal government to restore sustained security, rehabilitation as well as integration of the Internally Displaced Person's into their communities.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu said the federal government will continue to collaborate with states to ensure that the out of school children go back to school while their parents were empowered to enable them live a better life.

Dr Betta Edu said with what she saw, there was need for quick intervention in terms of provision of good shelter and access to Education as well as empowerment of parents of affected persons.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation also warned against keeping the food stuffs in store without distribution to victims to ammeliorate their hardship.