Gombe Initiates Better Life For 100,000 Street Children

…ARC-P facilitators to enjoy N30,000 monthly allowance

BY WILLIAM ATTAH, GOMBE – The Gombe State government has approved a N30,000 monthly allowance for the 500 At Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) Facilitators who graduated from a three week training in the state.

No fewer than 100,000 vulnerable street children between the ages of seven and 24 in Gombe State living under very risky conditions, are expected to benefit from various interventions rolled out under the project aimed at getting them off the streets for a better life.

Special Adviser to Governor Inuwa Yahaya on Human Capital Development, Sani Ahmed Haruna, announced this at the graduation ceremony of 500 ARC-P Facilitators in Gombe.

The Youths Facilitators who were trained in Animal fattening, cosmetology, beads and leather work, fish and poultry farming as well as food and beverages, are expected to serve as the direct link to the children at risk.

Already, the 500 Youth Facilitators have signed and agreed to work for the betterment of all At-Risk Children in Gombe State.

According to Haruna; “Their appointment letters will be issue as soon as we connect them to our proposed 25 Temporary Community Hubs- as we are already working hand in hand with all the 11 LGA’s in the State through ALGON and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs”.

In his remarks, Governor Yahaya lauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his administration’s empowerment initiative of At Risk Children Programme (ARC-P) which he noted has significantly helped in tackling crises associated with vulnerable children and youths that are potentially at risk of both physical and psychological state of wellbeing.

He also commended the determination and commitment of the project advisory committee under the leadership of his wife, Hajiya Asmau Yahaya and that of the project implementation team.

He urged pioneers of the ARC-P youth facilitators to work hard and uphold their knowledge for good practice, training and to remain focused while maintaining the posture of good ambassadors of his administration’s efforts towards improving human capital in the State.

In her remarks, Special adviser to President Buhari on Social Investment, Hajiya Maryam Uwais, who is also the national team lead of the ARC-P, challenged the pioneer grandaunts to know that additional responsibility has been placed on their shoulders to ensure the safety of vulnerable members of their respective communities especially the vulnerable.