A coalition of activists and advocates under the Treasured Points Of Light Foundation has called on the government at all levels to redouble their efforts at tackling the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
With over 20 million children currently deprived of education, the group stressed the urgency to address this pressing issue to secure the future of generations to come.
Latest data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in partnership with the Global Education and Monitoring Report put Nigeria’s out-of-school children number at 20.2 million.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund added that one in three children in Nigeria is out of school, totalling 10.2 million at the primary level, and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school level.
UNICEF said one in every five out-of-school children in the world is in Nigeria.
The group, however, advocated for sustainable funding for the educational sector to get the over 20 million children back to school.
The Team Lead of the foundation, Damilola Onebamhoin speaking at an outreach programme, organised in partnership with Rite Foods Limited for 350 children of the slum in Abeokuta, the state capital on Thursday, argued that numerous potentials are locked up in many of the affected children, which could benefit the nation if properly nurtured through education.
The outreach was part of activities to mark 2024 International Children’s Day.
Onebamhoin lamented that the rise in inflation has led many children to do menial jobs and resulted in an increasing number of out-of-school children.
She further stressed that if the children get the best of care, despite being from the slum, their future will be secured with the right policies.
She said, “Government should empower the parents of these children for them to be financially capable to send their children to school. Government should also work on the economy, with a sustainable economy, every parent will have enough money to send their children to school.”
In his remarks, the Cooperate Communications Manager, Rite Foods Ltd, Innocent Adulugba said the organisation’s focus is to do the right things, hence the need to support programmes like the Children’s Day.
Adulugba noted that the celebration promotes togetherness and awareness among children worldwide and as such it is a worthy cause to partner with Treasured Points of Light Foundation.
He said, “It borders on the purpose of sustainability because children are projects for the long term. Today, tomorrow and in the future, children will complete their growth cycle into adulthood. Society must support children to grow with the right mentality and care within a suitable environment.
“Rite Foods Ltd. is relentless in improving children’s welfare and helping society to appreciate children as the future pillars of our country, and the world at large.”
