In a significant stride towards tackling child vulnerability, malnutrition, and education inequality, Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a digital village and commissioned a state-of-the-art nutrition warehouse.
The two landmark events reflect a growing commitment to child welfare, especially for Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls.
The Digital Village and Skills Acquisition Centre, championed by the Sokoto State Government and supported by UNICEF, is the first of its kind in the country.
It aims to bridge the digital divide by offering vulnerable children, especially those outside family care, access to digital literacy, entrepreneurial training, and vocational skills.
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, its country representatives, Ms. Cristian Munduate, commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Dr. Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and the state governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, for their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the protection and empowerment of children.
“The Digital and Skilling Village is an investment aimed at proactively addressing child vulnerabilities, building resilience, and unlocking the potential of marginalized children,” the UNICEF statement read.
“We are calling on Sokoto State to expand this initiative to include broader vocational training and co-funding mechanisms to sustain its impact.”
The partnership has already yielded impactful results. By mid-2020, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF assisted in the reunification of over 6,000 children with their families.
Moreover, a detailed verification exercise in 2022 documented over 250,000 Almajiri children and out-of-school adolescent girls across Sokoto State, part of a broader regional tally of 1.65 million children in similar conditions.
In a separate address, Governor Ahmad Aliyu also presided over the commissioning of the UNICEF-constructed nutrition warehouse and the formal launch of the Sokoto State Policy on Food and Nutrition.
“This warehouse is a beacon of hope. It symbolizes our dedication to ensuring that no child in Sokoto suffers from malnutrition,” Governor Aliyu declared.
“Our Food and Nutrition Policy is a roadmap to healthier communities, and our administration is resolute in providing the political will and resources necessary for its success.”
The newly launched warehouse will serve as a central hub for the storage and timely distribution of essential nutrition supplies, targeting the state’s most vulnerable communities.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s broader health initiatives, including free medical care for pregnant women and children, and ongoing immunization campaigns to eradicate childhood diseases like poliomyelitis.
UNICEF, in turn, reiterated its readiness to continue working closely with Sokoto State to create lasting change through strong partnerships and shared goals.
As Sokoto celebrates these dual milestones, the focus remains on sustainable development through child-centered policies, inclusive education, and nutritional equity.
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