UNICEF holds workshop on cash transfer to boost girl-child education

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has organised a two-day media dialogue for journalists on ‘Educate A-Child on Cash Transfer’ programme in northern Nigeria.

The programme, which was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was held at Dankani Hotel in Sokoto State.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the UNICEF Education Specialist in Abuja, Mrs. Azoka Menkiti, said the programme was to promote the girl-child education and to complement government’s effort in educating children, adding that the cash transfer was to empowered families and improved on girls’ enrolment in schools.

In a paper presented on long-term sustainability plan when donors exit, Dr. Dayo Ogundimu, a development consultant, said cash transfers are cash grant made to school age children, especially the girl-child, to enable them enrolled and stay in school and complete their education.

He said such transfers- conditional cash transfer and unconditional transfer- are aimed at promoting the girl-child education in the northern part of the country.

In his speech, Kebbi State representative, who is also a Director in the Ministry of Education, Issa A. Umar, said so far, 8,000 out of 10,000 targeted girl-child have been registered in the three councils.

“Kebbi State has no problems, in terms of the girl-child education, we have about 400 public primary schools and 504 Ismailya schools,” he added.

Umar explained further that Kebbi has reached over 80 per cent on cash transfer programme, with more expected to be achieved.