A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Rise Project, Farid Centre, Ability in Disability, in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation and JONAPWD Abuja, has been officially unveiled by the Niger State governor, Muhammad Umaru Bago.

Governor Bago performed the official flag-off ceremony at Dutsen Kura Primary School, London Street, Minna, Niger State, on Wednesday, 12th February 2025.

With the theme: The Rise Project, the initiative of the Farid Centre, is aimed at enhancing enrolment and retention of children with special needs into public primary schools, with two pilot local councils of the state: Bosso and Chanchaga.

In his keynote address, Governor Muhammad Bago announced a donation of N1 billion as an endowment fund for the construction of facilities for pupils with special needs across all the 25 local councils of the state.

Bago maintained that educating children with special needs is expensive and requires a huge amount to run, adding that the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) will ensure the project is executed as soon as possible.

The Governor also made a donation of N50 million to the Farid Foundation, and N25 million to each of the four pilot schools selected for the RISE project.

He also gave approval for the formation of a Board under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for the immediate take-off to cater for children with special needs, as well as the commencement of scholarship and mentorship in Special Education at Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna.

He, however, appreciated the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-founder of the Farid Centre, Hajiya Aminat Jummai Gimba, for leading the crusade for the care of children with special needs, and assured that his administration will continue to focus on inclusive education.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-founder of Farid Centre, Hajiya Aminat Jummai Gimba, highlighted that the RISE project is a bold and transformative initiative aimed at integrating children with special needs into an inclusive learning environment in Bosso and Chanchaga Local Councils as a pilot scheme, noting that the project is also to build an educational framework to create a holistic and sustainable structure for inclusive education.

Hajiya Jummai disclosed that the project is inspired by the vision of Governor Umaru Bago to change and expand access to quality and inclusive education as a direct response to the vision of ensuring that no child is left hopeless.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Niger State, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, stressed the importance of integrating children with special needs into an inclusive learning environment along with their peer groups, adding that it will promote social skills, empathy, and break down barriers and misconceptions about people with disabilities.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, Muhammad Ibrahim Baba, revealed that there is an accelerated basic education curriculum, which is in the process of implementation and will ensure basic education for all.

In separate goodwill messages, the representatives of the Estu Nupe and Emir of Minna, Engr. Abdullahi Ndagi Aliyu, the Wambai Nupe, and Dauda Adamu Tallafin Minna, and the Chairperson of Bosso Local Council, Hajiya Ladidi Bawa Bosso, and Hajiya Khadijat Abdullahi lauded the Co-founder of Farid Centre for the initiative to ensure that children with special needs are given attention, especially in the area of education.

Highlights of the occasion included the symbolic presentation of teaching and learning materials by the governor to the schoolchildren.