From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasiru-Idris, has expressed concern over the report of 39 cases of rape recorded in the state within six months.
Idris stated this when officials of the National Union of Kebbi State Students (NUKESS) and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kebbi chapter, paid her a courtesy visit at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
The disturbing figure was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajiya A’isha Muhammad-Maikurata, earlier in her remark to the female students who were Vice President, Students Union Government (SUG) of their respective tertiary institutions and associations. The governor’s wife described the figure as alarming and stressed that rape remained an ugly trend in Gender Based Violence (GBV) which needed the support and cooperation of all to eliminate. She also expressed concern over the number of out-of-school children in the state and urged the parents to be up to their moral and religious responsibilities. She identifies lack of access to quality education as one of the causes pushing young people into banditry, kidnapping and other social ills.
The governor’s wife promised that the state government will ensure that students learn skills and trades in their lower levels of education, to become self-reliant and move away from social vices.
While assuring that she would come up with a programme to tackle some of the social challenges, Idris charged the students to join hands with her to create awareness on hygiene and GBV.
Earlier, Muhammad-Maikurata revealed that the 39 rape cases were recorded between January and June, regretting that GBV had become rampant across the state. She charged the students to be vigilant and assist in exposing any case, with a view to putting an end to the menace.
A retired permanent secretary, Hajiya Rafa’atu Noma, berated lecturers who sexually exploited students. She said there should be collective efforts to curtail the menace of GBV.
On her part, wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Hajiya Asma’u Bala-Yauri, attributed the problems of education to many factors, adding that teachers in Kebbi needed training and retraining to impart qualitative education. She advised people, especially the privileged ones, to pay back to the society by assisting their former schools in whatever form, to enhance access to education.
Earlier, the students pointed out many problems militating against the growth of education in the state. President, NUKESS, Bahalura Muhammad-Marafa, lamented over shortage of teachers, hostel accommodation and basic infrastructure in most schools in the state.
Also, Zinatu Yusuf of NYCN advocated for free menstrual pad to young girls, to address the problem of menstrual hygiene among young girls in the state.