Wike tasks UBEC on mitigating out-of-school children syndrome

By Stanley Onyekwere

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has challenged officials of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to step up efforts in reducing the incidence of out-of-school children.
Wike made this assertion when the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi with other members paid him a courtesy visit yesterday in Abuja.
In particular, he admonished told the UBEC officials to be committed to areas of school construction and renovations as being experienced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under his watch.
He also explained that the initiative will help to tackle the menace of some children roaming in the street, constituting threat to security.
However, on land request tabled by the commission’s officials, the minister reiterated that FCT Administration would not give land to people to sale or not developed, but to genuine people with proven capacity to commence work on the land.
He however, regretted that most people after getting land allocation from the administration will keep it for years without development even selling it to others.
“We can give land only to people with proven capacity to commence immediate development, not for people to go and either sale it or keep it for years without commencing development.
“When you request for land and you are given, start work on it, this will help in combating illegal activities on the land especially hoodlums from converting such areas to their houses.
“UBEC should be concerned on resolving the issue of out-of-school children, insecurity can’t be resolved if children remain at home and are allowed to be roaming in the street”, he stressed.
Earlier, UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi said the visit was to remind the minister about the land request sent to the minister.
Bobboyi urged the Wike o help officials of the commission to have a place where they will live after retirement.