Outgoing UNICEF Chief of Field Office for Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states, Muhammad Mohuiddin, Tuesday disclosed that the number of children out of school in Sokoto has dropped from 69 percent in 2015 to 37 percent this year.
"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 stated.
Speaking at a reception organised by the Sokoto state government after the completion of his tour of duty, the UNICEF chief noted that the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) for 2016-2017 indicated that Sokoto had made appreciable progress.
This, he added, resulted in over 50 percent cut in the number of out of school children in the state which hitherto was highest in the country.
"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,” he asserted.
Mohiuddin lauded 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.
He however urged the government to do more especially in the area of routine immunisation.
Mohiuddin expressed optimism that the plans put together would have positive impact in the next two to four years.
In a remark, Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described the UNICEF chief as "a reliable partner who took his job of saving humanity with all the seriousness it deserves."
