
The Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to develop policies that will cater for the needs of school-age children roaming about on the streets across the country.
Wike gave this charge on Thursday when the Commission’s delegation, led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Hamid Boboyi paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The Minister noted that getting the children back to school was imperative to resolving the security challenges bedeviling the country.
Wike also urged the Commission to strengthen policies that will resuscitate the education of Almajiri children in the North, which he championed when he was a Minister of Education.
He said, “I don’t know what you’re doing about the children roaming about the streets. The insecurity we are experiencing today cannot be resolved if the school age children are not removed from the streets”.
On the request of the Commission for land allocation for staff housing, the Minister stated that there must be a proof of capacity to develop the land within a specified period of time.
According to him, any institution of government that wants land allocation in Abuja, must sign a Memorandum of Understanding and failure to develop as agreed, the allocation would be revoked.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Dr Hamid Boboyi said the Commission had seen what FCT Administration is doing in the education sector and would continue to give support to the efforts.
Boboyi disclosed that FCT is the gateway to Nigeria and whatever is happening should be made to align with global standards.
He also urged the Minister to approve the land allocation the Commission has submitted, to enable staff get befitting housing in Abuja.