The Niger state government has commenced the implementation of the At-Risk Programme (ARC-P) targeting 100,000 children and young people in the state.
Hajiya Fatima Bago, wife of Niger Governor and Chairperson, Advisory Board of ARC-P in the state, disclosed this on Tuesday in Minna.
At the inauguration of the training of facilitators for the program, she said that the program would target vulnerable children.
She advised the facilitators to pay attention to the training to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children as well as successful implementation of the program.
“The decision to use youths as faciliators is because you play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of the children; work to give these vulnerable children a sense of belonging,” she said.
Bago appealed to the Federal Government to expand the program due to the high number of out-of-school children and pledged the state government’s commitment to the project.
In her welcome address, Hajiya Aisha Tafida, Team Lead and Coordinator of ARC-P, said the target beneficiaries in the first phase in the state were 70,000 but were increased to 100,000 by the state government.
“The beneficiaries are vulnerable children and young people between the ages of five and 26 years, to teach them skills to become self-sufficient.
“Children who are not opportune in society to have a sense of belonging in order to reduce their vulnerability,” she said.
She disclosed that 1,250 selected youth facilitators would undergo training and be engaged to teach basic skills to the beneficiaries.
Tafida said Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Bosso would be used as pilot local government areas while other local government areas would follow suit.
In her remarks, Mrs. Grace Obi, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, said Niger has played a significant role in the success of the program.
She said that Niger has 71 percent female girls between the ages of 25 and 29 years in their productive stage, adding that only ARC-P can reduce vulnerable children in the state.
She said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had set a target to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, adding that ARC-P aimed to engage young people in meaningful ventures.
Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger Government, represented by Alhaji Buhari Danladi, advised the facilitators to be committed to the implementation of the program.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ARC-P is a federal government intervention designed to support and empower vulnerable children through resources, guidance, and protection. (NAN)
