Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has said northern Nigeria holds the unfortunate record of having the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.
Bobboyi made the disclosure over the weekend while speaking at the commissioning of Girl Child Community Centre in Gafia village, Kaita local government area of Katsina state.
The executive secretary, who recalled that in the past 300 – 400 years, women in the North played active role in the field of knowledge and scholarship, said “Without the education of the girl child we cannot change our society. We should allow them to at least finish their secondary school education before marrying them up.”
Bobboyi was however quick to point out that while they were not against marrying up girls they are interested in allowing them to continue the search for knowledge even after marriage.
He commended Katsina state government for its numerous policies of promoting basic education, especially the girl child education.
Similarly, Bobboyi commended Senator Abubakar Saddique Yar’Adua who initiated the three projects in Katsina state that were cited in Gafia, Kurfi and Katsina metropolis.
In his remarks at the occasion, deputy governor, Katsina state, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu identified illiteracy and unemployment as the major threats to the society.
He however commended UBEC and Senator Abubakar Saddique Yar’Adua for their foresight in initiating the projects.
