
The Kwara State government on Friday (20th September, 2024) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), empowered Children who have been in borstal centers (remanded) for alleged crimes in the past.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Special Duties- Hon. John Bello, said the Empowerment is for the 2nd batch of ex-convicts released from Borstal Training Institution, Ganmo, between the 1st of April, 2022 and 31st of December, 2023.
“One Hundred and Three (103) adolescents who had been convicted of theft and rape were released. Out of them, sixty-five (65) were assessed while thirty (30) were empowered.
Today, the UNICEF is empowering additional thirty-four (34) ex-convicts in eighteen (18) different skills. This is to reintegrate them back to society” the governor added.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development- Abosede Buraimoh, in her address admonished the empowered children to put to good use the equipment given, and stressed that the kits should not be sold but used to better their lives and society.
Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Wilfred Mamman, on his part appreciated the role played by the state government in re-integrating the children back to society and charged the children to be brave, bold and unbroken as the future holds more prospects for them. He added that Kwara Child’s Right Law empowers children to be treated differently.
AbdulRafiu Shamsudeen, who spoke on behalf of the Children thanked the Kwara State government and the UNICEF for the Empowerment, assuring to put to good use the skills and kits given to lead meaningful lives.
Tools and kits for electrical works, events planning, fashion Designing, Bricklaying, Tailoring, Metal Works (welding), I.T (Computer set), Aluminum Works, Vulcanizing, Wiring, Clothes Weaving (Aso Oke), Photography, Solar Installation, amongst other were distributed.