Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The North-East Regional Initiative (NERI), as parts of it’s closing events, has officially handed over the 20 blocks of newly constructed and rehabilitated ultra modern showers (bathrooms) and toilets; at Government Girls College (GGC) Maiduguri to the Borno State Government.
NERI has also handed over another, new 20 blocks of new modern toilets and bathrooms at GGSS Maiduguri as well as 30 blocks of rehabilitated ultra modern showers and toilets at GGSS Yerwa; alongside their cleaning and sanitary materials which include 10 waste bins, 5 hand-washing stations, 30 brooms, 30 buckets, 30 industrial parkers, 30 hand gloves, 30 brushes, 30 Metal mops/ buckets and a bag of 1 kg detergents.
NERI further rehabilitated and equipped the libraries by providing reading table and chairs, book shelves, catalogue boxes, recent version of text books for all subjects for both junior and senior secondary, so the girls can have a conducive and comfortable space to improve their reading and learning environment.
NERI also piloted a book club activity for 100 high school girls’ volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18 in Maiduguri. The participants were given fiction and non-fiction books that relates inspiring stories of young women leaders.
The book clubs were concluded with a debate and reflection on topics related to education and the girl child. This activity was a huge success as most of the girl became confident and bold enough to read and express themselves.
Unvieling some of the projects at the GGC Maiduguri Tuesday, the Borno State Commissioner of Education, Hon. Bello Ayuba commended NERI for their support and assistance to the education sector of the state in many aspects executing numerous projects for the pupils and students.
Represented by the Ministerial Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Kadaffur, he expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation for the honest execution of intervention projects and programmes transparently with commitment which have you he’d the lives of the younger generation and our future leaders .
The NERI Program Manager,Mss Rukaiya Jibrin in her opening speech said NERI carries construction and Rehabilitation of modern bathrooms/showers and toilets in three girls high schools in Maiduguri.
She noted that as a result of the Boko haram insurgency, the 3 girls’ high schools in Maiduguri experienced an increase in the number of student population as the girls in other vulnerable schools across the State were relocated to the girls’ high school Maiduguri the capital.
“This exacerbated the already precarious situation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in these schools as they became overstretched and were incapable of meeting the needs of the students as a major cause of concern to the Principals of the schools and the State Ministry of Education who reached out to NERI for assistance.
“In this regard, NERI supported the 3 girls’ schools with shower and toilet facilities. In addition, we also provided essential cleaning and sanitary materials to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.
“Over the years, NERI has worked with strong collaboration with the Borno State Government through partnering with several Ministries and the Local Government councils across the state to provide numerous supports to the people of Borno state particularly the Women and girls in strengthening their Voices and empowerment.
With the good relationship that was built prior to this time
“NERI supported the Girls inter secondary school sports competition under an In-Kind Grant, procuring sport equipment that was used for football (soccer) and basketball tournament. Some of the equipment and items includes jerseys, stockings, football, basketball, trophies, medals among others.
“NERI also observed the non-functionality and dilapidation of the three girl’s school’s Libraries, which lack sufficient books and which are obsolete, to enable the Girls’ study”, Rukaiya said.
Rukaiya explained further that NERI organized the IWD celebration & GBV awareness walk in collaboration with the MoWASD which our girls from the 3 girl’s high schools also participated. This also improved their social network.
“NERI also partnered with the Borno State’s Ministry of Education and Women Affairs to produce non-medical, cloth face masks in Maiduguri.
“NERI produced and delivered over 46,000 locally made face masks and 100 hand washstands and hand sanitizers coupled with awareness creation in selected schools and over 60,000 face masks to the general public,” Rukaiya added.
She however revealed that the NERI Chief of Party appreciated the Executive Governor of Borno State Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum for granting the organization an enabling environment and permission to work in the state and gave them 100% support
Rukaiya also appreciated the Hon State Commissioner of Education, Hon. Bello Ayuba for his unending cooperation for the noble intervention course on education in the state and the principals of the three girls high schools for their commitments, support and cooperation at all times as well as he NERI team, NERI contractor Ibindudu venture and the media for their unique services and coverage.