TheCable

A’isha Muhammad-Maikurata, permanent secretary in the ministry of women affairs in Kebbi, says 39 rape cases were recorded in the state in six months.

Zainab Nasiru-Idris, wife of the Kebbi governor, expressed concern over the report and described the figure as alarming.

Nasiru-Idris spoke on Tuesday when officials of the National Union of Kebbi State Students (NUKESS) and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kebbi chapter, paid her a visit in Birnin Kebbi.

The first lady urged the state government to take appropriate measures to reduce the menace and punish perpetrators.

She also expressed concern over the number of out-of-school children in the state.

Nasiru-Idris enjoined parents to live up to their moral and religious responsibilities and support the government in providing quality education.

She said the lack of access to quality education is one of the causes of banditry, kidnapping and other social ills.

She promised that the state government would ensure that students learn skills and trades to become self-reliant and move away from social vices.

While assuring that she would come up with a programme to tackle some of the social challenges, Nasiru-Idris advised the students to join hands with her to create awareness on hygiene and gender-based violence.