Gombe ARC-P distributes 1,500 Goats, 5,000 Noiler Chickens to Caregivers
..targets 1,000 households across 11 LGAs
The Gombe State Government has distributed 1,500 goats and 5,000 Noiler Chickens to 1,000 households under the At- Risk-Children Project in an effort to uplift the living standard of the vulnerable children through economic empowerment.
The livestock were distributed to the beneficiaries by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, at the popular NAPEP office near Bauchi Motor Park in the metropolis.
Jatau congratulated the beneficiaries and charged them to make judicious use of the livestock towards boosting their economy and not to sell it.
He said, “To our Creator be the glory and gratitude for granting His Favour, Grace, Love and Privilege to witness this flagging off ceremony for the distribution of 1,500 goats to 500 household’s parent, caregivers and guardians of the identified at-risk children in Gombe State. In good time let me convey the greetings, goodwill and the great political will of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, as he works continuously towards taking Gombe State to the promised land of development particularly in the area of self reliance, upliftment of the needy and vulnerable residents of the State.
“My dear residents of Gombe State, you are very much aware that in his desire to ensure that Gombe State benefit from the many programs initiated by development partners, and other concerned organizations, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya signed Memorandum of Understanding with the ARC-P National Office to implement At-Risk Children Project (ARC-P) in the state. Needless to say that the debut of this project is very apt, germane, necessary and indeed inevitable based on the events and happenings in the society that has impacted negatively on the economic life of the population. Of course children are those at a greater risk for obvious reasons.
“On take off, His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya embarked on measures to ensure quick wins of the program. Accordingly series of engagements were carried out viz:-Engagement of 500 Youth Facilitators to mentor the beneficiaries.Three (3) weeks induction training to equip the 500 Facilitators with knowledge to handle the children professionally.Benefiting children were identified and subsequently allocated to the Facilitators. May I at this time pinpoint that Gombe State was selected on account of the enabling environment provided by able leadership of the Governor who made sure that substantial number of children who hitherto were not in school got enrolled. This afforded these children basic knowledge, civic engagement and vocational skills that gave them the opportunity of knowing their potentials as members of the society.
“Distinguished guests, it’s prevalent that, the major challenges and drivers of risks to children and young adult in relation to Gombe State peculiarities includes but not limited to:Gender Based and Sexual Violence: Child rape, domestic violence, sexual assault of both girls and boys.Almajiri and street children, Child marriage, and divorce, Drugs and substance abuse Street, hawking by children, School dropout, Seasonal child labour commonly known as Barema.
” In the same vein, I understand that, the ARC-Programme in Gombe has seven Pillars and this gesture speaks to Pillar Seventh of the programme tagged “GATEKEEPER INCENTIVE”. The objective of this Caregiver’s empowerment is to prepare the selected Caregivers mindset to continue allowing your children to attend the classes as well as to build economic values in you so as to improve your living standard. It is encouraging to note that similar distribution was carried out yesterday and 500 households benefited with 10 pieces Noiler Chicken, one bag of feed and divertamin. L&Z Integrated Farms Kano and Amo Farm Lagos deserve our appreciation for the successful delivery of 1,500 goats and 5,000 pieces of five weeks old Noiler Chickens courtesy of ARC-P National Office”.
“To the beneficiaries, I urge you to conduct yourselves in a respectable manner and be informed that, a robust strategy is designed to monitoring the management of those goats as well as the chickens. Therefore, you should desist from selling those livestock’s given to you to improve your living standard. If you perform well, more of such assistance will be extended to you. It is my singular honour and privilege on behalf of the Gombe State Government declare the distribution of 1,500 goats to 500 Caregivers in Gombe State for the improvement of the standard of living of the residents in the state and by implication the society.”
In his address of welcome, the Overseer At- Risk- Children- Project Gombe State, Muhammad Umar Faruk, said the project aimed at reaching out to 1,000 households where 500 households will be given goats and the other five hundred will receive Noiler Chickens.
He said, “I feel highly pleased to welcome you all to the flagging-off of 1500 and 5000 goats and Noiler Chickens for distribution to ARC-P Caregivers across 11 LGAs in Gombe State.
“Your Excellency it may interest you to note that, so far, our office , in efforts to consolidate on the project gains during the first term of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, (Dan Majen Gombe) has received and in full custody of the following consignment from Abuja.
” Food items/ coolers numbering 450 for commencement of feeding, sporting kits, Hausa translated book ( koyon lissafi mataki na farko) 20010 pieces, Hausa translated book ( mu koyi karatu da rubutu littafin dalibai, 18309 pieces, test kits for ascertaining drug consumption level for 2nd batch GoSTEC recruitment, 1000 pieces, kitchen utensils( food container, plates and spoons) 2689 pieces, and ARC-P youth facilitators step- by- step guide numbering 510 pieces.”
He added that after the phase of empowerment of caregivers their office is planning to commence feeding across their temporary community hubs twice a week so as to further motivate the children to attend lessons.
Faruk explained that adequate arrangement has been made to monitor the beneficiaries and report back to ensure they do not sell out what is given to them.
He appreciated the Governor for providing an enabling environment for their office to achieve great success within short period.
Some of the beneficiaries, Adamu Hussaini and Yalwaji Umar who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries appreciated the Government for empowering them, praying God bless the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Goodwill messages came from the Managing Director, Tofaco welding Nigeria ltd, Usman Tufa, and Representative of Amo Farms Oyo and L&Z Farm Kano commended the effort of the state government to empower the caregivers who are taking care of the vulnerable children towards making them responsible future leaders.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi Kasimu and some Permanent Secretaries witnessed the distribution of the livestock to the beneficiaries.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu
Press Secretary/Information Officer,
Deputy Governor’s Office.
