Atiku lauded over scholarship awarded to teen found at Niger mining site

The Rise Up Naija (RUN) movement has commended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for offering a scholarship to Yusuf Aliyu, a teenager reportedly found working at a mining site in Niger.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Usman Okai Austin, the group said the former vice-president’s intervention reflected the importance of providing educational opportunities for vulnerable children.

The group said Atiku had invited Yusuf and his parents to his Abuja residence following the teenager’s discovery at the mining site.

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The RUN Movement also said Atiku had called for measures to protect Yusuf and his family from possible intimidation or retaliation.

“Atiku’s call for the protection of Yusuf’s life and that of his family shows he cares not just for education, but for the safety of the vulnerable,” the statement said.

The statement added that Atiku was scheduled to pay a condolence visit to the people and government of Niger State over the incident.

The movement also raised concerns over the employment of children at mining sites and questioned the government’s efforts to identify and prosecute operators of such sites.

It called on the committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the matter to ensure that its findings and recommendations are made public.

The group also criticised the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, over the government’s handling of the mining sector.

“The government is hiding the identity of the mining site owners. We are witnessing atrocities in the mining sector that require a government truly ready to govern,” Okai said.

The group further alleged that poverty and unemployment were contributing to the exploitation of children in the mining sector and called for stronger measures to address the situation.

It said the investigative committee should remain accountable to the public and ensure that those found responsible for violations in the sector are held accountable.