The Kuwaiti government has pledged to empower no fewer than 200,000 out-of-school children in Kaduna State, Nigeria, through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) project.
The initiative aims to provide equitable access to quality primary education for children in Kaduna State, particularly those with disabilities, girls, and adolescents.
The Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Nigeria, Mr. Salim Khalifa Almuzayen, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja on the Occasion of the 64th National Day of the State of Kuwait and the 34th Liberation Day.
He said, “I would like to mention the ambitious and pioneer project funded by Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development with distinguished Partners and UNICEF in Kaduna State, named “Reaching Out of School Children” Project, which aims to assist over 200,000 students.”
On the occasion of the 64th National Day and the 34th Liberation Day, the Ambassador referred to the democratic system that distinguished Kuwait since its inception based on a constitution that provides people participation in decision making, with a clear commitment from the political leadership, which is a source of pride and honour for Kuwaitis.
He added that the State of Kuwait adopts the principle of moderation in its foreign policy, with clear features and frameworks in its diplomatic relations, with its aspiration for the whole world to participate in its Vision 2035 for the future Kuwait as a regional financial, commercial and cultural centre.
“I would like to commend on the excellent and historical bilateral relations between the State of Kuwait and the friendly Federal Republic of Nigeria, which extend since the sixties of the last century, as the Al-Sabah school, was built in Kaduna State in that era.
“It reflects the depth of these historical relations and shows further prospectives to develop new horizons for cooperation in various areas between the two friendly countries,” he said.
Also speaking, the Senior Councillor of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adeolu Okenla, praised the strong diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Kuwait, which dates back to 1971.
Okenla also noted that the relationship has advanced to ambassadorial representation, with cooperation in political and economic spheres.
He said, “Nigeria commended Kuwait for its contributions to regional peace and development in the Middle East, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council.
“The council comprises member states including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman.
“Kuwait’s free education policy, which provides education from primary school to university level, was also praised for achieving a total adult literacy rate of 96.46%.”
He explained that Kuwait’s National Day and Liberation Day are significant milestones in the country’s history adding that the National Day marks Kuwait’s independence from British protectorate in 1961, while the Liberation Day commemorates the country’s freedom from Iraqi occupation in 1991.
