Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has called on governments and stakeholders to prioritise investment in education as a lasting solution to poverty, insecurity and underdevelopment in Nigeria.
Kukah made the call on Wednesday during the unveiling of an education project supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Hikima Community Mobilisation and Development Initiative (HCOMDI) in Sokoto State.
The project, which targets crisis-affected children in Kware, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas, aims to improve access to safe, inclusive and quality education.
Kukah blamed the rising number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria on poverty, ignorance and years of poor investment in education, stressing that religion should not be blamed for the crisis.
He said insecurity had worsened because many children were denied access to education, urging leaders to make education a national priority.
The bishop also dismissed claims that religion discourages western education, noting that both Islam and Christianity encourage the pursuit of knowledge.
The Country Director of JRS Nigeria, Fr Temple Anuforo, said the project would reintegrate more than 9,000 out-of-school children, rehabilitate 20 classrooms, upgrade 10 WASH facilities, train 473 teachers and provide psychosocial support and child protection services.
CBM International Country Humanitarian Coordinator, Ewangshak Guar, said the organisation would ensure children with disabilities have access to inclusive learning facilities, while promoting menstrual hygiene management to improve school attendance among girls.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the intervention would improve education and livelihoods in communities affected by insecurity.
