The Adamawa Government in collaboration with the UNICEF on Wednesday launched a pupils enrollment drive in the five local government areas of the state affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at the launch, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kaleptawa Farauta, said the exercise which commenced in Maiha Local Government Area would cover the entire northern part of the state comprising Maiha, Madagali, Michika, Mubi North and Mubi South local government areas.

“The launching of the enrollment drive is to awaken our people to send their children to school; every child of school age should be sent to school as education is the best asset we can give to our children,” he said.

The commissioner, who said over 50,000 pupils were expected to be captured in the exercise, thanked UNICEF for its support to the programme.

“We thank partners like UNICEF that gave their time, resources, energy to go round to see to it that development is brought to the people,” he said.

In his remarks, the representative of UNICEF, Dr. Abdullahi Kaikai, assured Adamawa Government of UNICEF’s continuous support toward the success of the programme.

Kaikai observed that education was very vital in promoting peace and stability.

“If you give education you are contributing to the reduction of poverty among families, communities and households.

“Education will help rise income; promote economic growth and shared prosperity.”

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Malam Bashir Ahmad, said apart from providing N6.7 million for the programme, UNICEF provided support for training of staff of the ministry and teachers, as well as supplied books and school bags for pupils, among others. (NAN)

•Photo shows school children in Nigeria's North-East.