The government of Kaduna state has held a reception for 39 minors during which they were each gifted smartphones and money.
They were all detained for their participation in the #Endbadgovernance protest after which they reunited them with their families.
In a brief ceremony at the “Children’s Homes” along Katuru Road in Kaduna, each child received N100,000 and an Itel A18s smartphone from the state government.
Governor Uba Sani pledged to support the children as they reintegrate into society, vowing to provide rehabilitation and empowerment opportunities to encourage them to become responsible, law-abiding citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, mentioned that the governor instructed him to collect credentials from those who had completed their tertiary education. “The Governor promised that some of them will receive start-up capital for trading, others will receive skills training, and some will be offered employment,” Meyere said.
Meyere said the government will monitor the conduct of each child, extending these benefits based on good behavior. Contact details, including addresses, phone numbers, and next-of-kin information, were recorded for easy tracking and follow-up.
Upon release, each child underwent a medical examination and received psycho-social counseling, focusing on personal development and community contribution. Religious leaders from both Islamic and Christian communities also counseled the children, emphasizing the importance of faith and the dangers of negative influences.
Meyere explained that the children were provided with phones, as they had lost theirs during detention, and that “the Governor graciously granted each of them N100,000 as a measure of goodwill.”
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