The Federal Government has disclosed that the present administration is putting in place measures aimed at lifting children begging around the country, particularly in the northern states, off the streets.
Speaking on Thursday night while appearing on Channels Television, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad, highlighted different programmes the government is undertaking to empower youths.
She explained that the government has intensified efforts to improve skill-acquisition programmes at O-level to further strengthen youths’ financial independence after school.
Ahmad also stated that specific initiatives are currently in force to ensure a reduction in the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, noting that the Federal Government’s reforms in the education sector are targeted at creating a population that can contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.
She, however, lamented that decades of inadequate youth development have made the situation a bit challenging, stating that most of the programmes need more time for the results to become visible.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a workforce that is creative, productive and can contribute to the economic development of Nigeria.