In several of the 36 states in the country school evasion and dropout rates are twice as high among females than in males. Mr Gough confirmed the figures and aid for the Quranic schools in the area at a meeting with Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Bauchi State. UNICEF has several projects in Africa's most populated country, which include combating malnutrition, one of the major problems among children, especially in the north, where one child in six is underweight at birth. Another priority is to provide safe sources of drinking water and adequate sanitary services. "We will work in collaboration with the government of Bauchi state to expand the water supply network and the sewage system," Mr Gough said. (AGI)