The Nation Newspaper

Category: Education

  • TESCOM advises 1,000 new teachers to be passionate

    TESCOM advises 1,000 new teachers to be passionate

    The Lagos State Teachers Service Commission (TESCOM) on Tuesday began  a four-day induction programme for  1,000 newly-recruited teachers with a message to them to be passionate about their profession.

    The event, with the theme: “Empowering Educators for Outstanding Learners Performances”, took place at the LCCI House Alausa, Ikeja and was facilitated by the Nurture House Consulting.

    Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, Mrs.  Iyabo Seriki-Bello, urged the new teachers as professionals to understand their roles, impact knowledge and ideas into students, which will positively translate to their “conducts, personal lives and by extension, the society at large”.

    Mrs. Seriki-Bello said ‘’as teachers lay foundation for success, they are mind builders who mould and shape lives of students beamed to be future leaders. Great teachers make memories,  assist students to think and attain goals.

    “As teachers, for you to achieve these onerous responsibilities, you must be passionate about the profession. We need teachers by choice and not by force, teachers who must possess the ability to adapt to changing situations; and technologically savvy. With technology, you can think locally and act globally. Remember also, you must be able to communicate effectively.

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    “Distinguished Inductees, this State-wide induction has become one of the veritable avenues where successful officers, who, after going through the requisite screening of essay writing, mini teaching practice and oral interview, from where you were found eligible, are exposed to contemporary issues bothering on the ever-increasing scope of school administration/management.

    “To achieve this onerous responsibility as described above, the training content will be a combination of lectures, syndicate sessions, case studies, use of blended skills, competencies and experience sharing.

    “To those who distinguished themselves and scaled the ‘rigorous’ hurdle during the processes of tests and assessments, I profoundly welcome and congratulate you all.  A big task is bestowed on you and you have the responsibility to brace up to the challenges and prove your mettle.  Your performance on the job should assure the state government and indeed, Mr. Governor, that in truth, you are deserving of the opportunity.

    Chairman of TECOM, Mrs Victoria Peregrino, said at the opening of the induction that it was the fifth of its kind. She said that the aim was to take the teachers through the essentials of their profession.

    Mrs. Peregrino said that it was not enough to have academic knowledge, adding that  there was need  to  know how to impart knowledge.

    She hoped that the programme would contribute meaningfully to education development in Lagos State.

    Lauding Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for uplifting education standards in the state, the chairman said that the administration had provided a conducive environment for teachers to work well.

     “This training is to make you resourceful and contribute meaningfully to the progress of education in Lagos State. We expect you to put to practice, the academic knowledge you have acquired,” she said.

    The chairman said that there was the need for teachers to take into consideration students’ mental and academic abilities, emotional state, total wellbeing and environments.

    The chairman added: “The teaching profession is an evolving career, as such, teachers’ should develop the penchant for continuous learning to keep pace with the demands of the school system and master the daily and increasing requirements of the school and students’ development.

    “Expectedly, teachers’ must be conscious of the fact that they are nurturers, creators, and destiny builders who are catalysts in determining the future of our dear country, Nigeria, through this noble profession.

    “To support this refreshing policy, continuous and capacity development of the workforce will be uppermost in the scheme of things, and as such, this potpourri and fit-for-purpose induction programme has become most necessary.

    “Evidently and in our character, this induction portends to engender you to building a formidable and productive educational system that can compete favourably with any of its kind globally, more so, in view of the present global shift towards Electronic Business Management.

    TESCOM Commissioner Two, in Ikeja, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, advised the inductees to make maximum use of their employment opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.

    An official of Nurture House Consulting, Mr. Akin Alanamu, said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration prioritised teachers’ training.

  • UDUS students: why digitalisation of verification is crucial

    UDUS students: why digitalisation of verification is crucial

    By Usman Yakubu Usman

    Amid  efforts to complete his final year project, Abduljala Dahiru, a recent graduate of Education Chemistry at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), endured excruciating pain during the process of his verification and signing of his final year clearance form.

    Every morning, he had to take his credentials to different offices to be signed. His attention was diverted from writing his final year research project to completing the strenuous process involved in signing the clearance form. He started from his faculty to the students’ affairs division. After spending a month without completion, he got exhausted and suspended the process.

     “I didn’t go for the clinic signing. And in the office where we are collecting notifications, they will check your last payment and the clearance form. If they see that you have signed in all the places, they will give you the notification of the result,” he said.

    Abduljalal was deeply saddened by treatment he received from the officials who were signing students’ documents, as they told him several times to go and come back or claim they had something to do.

    One sunny afternoon  at the Bursary section, many UDUS graduates queued in front of the Accountant’s office where they submitted their documents for clearance and verification. However, despite submitting early, some of the students had to troop to the office several times before collecting their signed documents. This has been a frustrating norm in UDUS over the years for university graduates.

    When this reporter visited the area, he saw students’ credentials that were verified and signed, spread out on the ground like trash in a dump site,  with particles of dust in the corridor of the office. Some that were clipped together upon early submission were still on the ground in the vicinity.

    For the students to see their signed documents, they must stand for hours checking all the piles of papers or squat, opening through each of them to identify their own. Eventually, due to tiredness, some of the students were seen leaning on the walls while others sat on the hedges of the veranda, after long hours of futile checks.

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    In UDUS, every graduate must submit all relevant documents as part of the requirement to be verified and cleared as a graduate. In the routine of signing out, the faculty must sign, clinic, library, students’ affairs, Bursary, and the student union will have to sign the documents before a student scales through to collect notification of the result.

    The students must go around the offices for days, weeks, and months. This is done with a signature and stamp. Bypassing the process means no notification  result.

    Coming from the Bursary section, Aliyu Imam Kabir, a Computer Science graduate, was sweating profusely, his legs looking dusty due to the overwhelming stress he endured going around the school to sign out.

    “I’ve been going there many times now, but my own is not signed yet. And I submitted it two days ago. I am tired already,” he said.

    Due to frustration, Aliyu vowed not to go there again, after making a long trip from Katsina to Sokoto, down to UDUS, to complete his verification sign-out. He spent two days on the process, yet he didn’t collect it, as he kept waiting for his documents to be stamped before collecting his notification of result.

    Reporter’s experience with frustrated UDUS graduates

    Before Aliyu left campus for Katsina, he gave this reporter his ID card to help him collect his documents if they were signed. However, arriving on the first day at the location, this reporter endured a torrid time. He stood and squatted for hours, trying to search through some of the signed documents to find Aliyu’s, but to no avail. It was not signed, so the reporter had to come back again.

    The next morning, more students gathered, others forming short groups, waiting for the early ones to finish searching before joining the fray to look for their documents. They hoped to be among the lucky ones to collect theirs. While others wore long faces, as it seemed they would have to come another day or wait again. When this reporter couldn’t find Aliyu’s documents, he was disappointed.

    The third day was more appalling, as some students were seen raging for not seeing their signed documents. After searching the whole papers, some of Aliyu’s documents were seen but torn to pieces, while others were nowhere to be found. Out of disappointment, the reporter informed Aliyu of the situation over the phone. While speaking, Aliyu lamented furiously:

    “Seriously, these people are supposed to sign this immediately after submission, but they won’t until after three weeks or months. Look at how they dumped my papers. Why don’t they keep students’ documents safe in the office? How can I collect my notification of  result now?”

    ‘I did not see my document’

    Okon Solomon, a graduate of Pure and Applied Chemistry, complained of not seeing his documents after submission. He went there to check the scattered papers but couldn’t find his own. His documents were clipped together in fear of the current scenario he was facing.

    Abduljala emphasised that  the university should make it online to reduce stress and make students happy.

    School management reacts

    One of the officials verifying and signing students’ clearance, who identified herself as Mrs Ma’aruf K. O., a Business and Auxiliary officer, said students are responsible for scattering the documents whenever she arranged them.

    “The reason why we are keeping it outside is because of those who will be coming to check their own. These things are many, more than two hundred. We can’t keep them in the office. If I leave the office now for just an hour, many students will come and be looking for their own. I think that is the simplest way to get their things.”

    When she was questioned about the students’ plea for online verification, she said: “We are doing the verification online. They will come with their receipts, and show their Remita number. If the money enters the university account, we will now sign on top of their receipts and verify it to collect their notification of the result. And if the process can be done completely online, there is no problem. The students can write to the management to do it that way.”

    Also, the Dean of Students’ Affairs of the university, Prof. Umar Aliyu, said: “I am hearing it from you now for the first time. I will try and find out with the verification committee how they operate. So if there are issues, we will know how to solve them. Concerning digitalisation, the students’ union should be contacted so that we can forward it to the management.”

  • Vote buying will not give room for credible leaders, Don says

    Vote buying will not give room for credible leaders, Don says

    A Professor of Marketing at the Department of Business Management, Covenant University, Rowland Worlu, has advised the government and other stakeholders to step up actions that will discourage the culture of vote buying and other social vices undermining the country’s electoral processes.

    Worlu gave this advice recently during the 32nd inaugural lecture with the theme: “In Praise of Customers and the Electorate,” in the institution.

    He said: “An improved advocacy will vigorously discourage the culture of vote buying and other social vices which have affected the democratic system and hindered the sanctity of the nation’s electoral processes.

    “In addition, vote buying will not give room for credible leaders to be elected during elections as the citizens deserve better lives.”

    The don stressed the need to curb vote buying, which he claimed was still at a worrisome level in the country.

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    On society, he said that government and business people should be sensitive to the needs of citizens and customers.

    He said that citizens had expectations from government programmes and services.

    In his welcome remarks, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, said that the inaugural lecture tends to address the fundamental aspects of national and sustainable development.

    Adebayo urged the electorate to positively use their power to vote out leaders and politicians who are not sensitive to the yearnings of the people.

    The VC stressed that as it is with marketing promises to customers, politicians must fulfill their commitments to the people during campaigns.

    He said that Covenant University, as a leading class institution, would remain sensitive and committed to expansive viable solutions toward national and continental aspirations

  • IGSO old students donate multimillion Naira garment workshop to Ondo school

    IGSO old students donate multimillion Naira garment workshop to Ondo school

    …urges Aiyedatiwa to prioritise  education 

    Students of Independence Grammar School in Ondo, Ondo state, have reason to celebrate as the class of 1984 alumni will donate a multi-million-naira garment factory workshop as part of their 40th reunion celebrations.

    The commissioning and reunion will take place on Friday, June 28, at the school premises along Ondo/Ore Expressway.

    In a statement by the chairman of the planning committee, Victor Oriola, the gesture is part of their efforts to give back to the school.

    He said: “As part of the commissioning, meritorious service awards will also be conferred on deserving old students to spur others to participate in the growth and development of the school.

    Among those to be honoured are the national president of the Alumni association, Mr Dele Edokpayi and national treasurer, Engr Odunayo Olasanoye.

    Other members of 1984 set to be honoured are Chief Abayomi Fadojutimi, Alhaji Alade Ademola, Damilola Roseline Awosanya, and Damilola Raymond Adeniyi. 

    On why the 1984 set built and equipped the garment making workshop for the students, a member of the 1984 set who coordinated the project, Yinka Ijelu said it was as a result of findings that the students were going to learn how to sew cloth after school hours instead of attending the evening lessons.

    The statement further read: “Since it’s obvious that government alone can not do it because of economic crisis, we have tasked ourselves to be able to contribute our modest quota to the education of the younger ones.”

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    The 1984 set, however, urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to focus more on education, which is the pride of the state from time immemorial. 

    “From the late Adekunle Ajasin, Adebayo Adefarati and Dr Olusegun Agagu have all contributed their quotas.

    “While late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu will be remembered for the Omotosho Industrial hub, Dr Segun Mimiko will be remembered for the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

    “We would like Governor Aiyedatiwa to write his name in gold like Dr. Agagu who established the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology,  Okitipupa, by focusing more on education.” The statement said.

  • Educationist calls for urgent overhaul of education system

    Educationist calls for urgent overhaul of education system

    A renowned educationist, Yetunde Kamson, has urgently called for a transformative overhaul of Nigeria’s education system.

    In an interview with journalists, Kamson discussed the current strength of education and areas needing significant improvement.

    She drew inspiration from successful education reforms in countries like Finland and South Korea, where innovative approaches to teaching, robust teacher training programs, and equitable resource distribution have led to significant improvements in educational outcomes.

    The Abuja-based educationist highlighted that Nigeria’s education sector is marked by a growing emphasis on its importance, various educational opportunities, and a vibrant community of educators and learners.

    According to her, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education in rural areas, inconsistent policies, teacher training, and development issues still need to be addressed.

    Speaking on the pressing challenges educators and students face, Mrs. Kamson pointed to inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and a stark disparity in educational quality between urban and rural areas.

    She also underscored the high number of out-of-school children, teacher recruitment, and retention difficulties as critical issues.

    Kamson emphasised that technology holds immense potential to revolutionise learning across Nigeria, advocating for better technology integration through access to online resources, digital literacy promotion, personalised learning experiences, and improved communication between stakeholders.

    “For technology to be truly transformative, there must be substantial investment in infrastructure, educator training, and digital tool incorporation within the curriculum,” she stated.

    The educationist pointed out the need for robust initiatives and reforms to address the disparities in educational access across different regions.

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    Her words, “These initiatives are not just a local concern, but also align with the global commitment to education as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030”.

    She called for improved rural educational infrastructure, enhanced teacher training programmes, increased investment, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive policies, noting that community engagement is also vital for bridging the educational opportunity gap.

    While outlining the roles of various sectors in improving education, she said, “The government should focus on funding, policy development, regulation, and maintaining quality standards. The private sector could contribute through partnerships, investments in educational technology, and support for skills development initiatives. Civil society organisations can advocate for reforms, provide community-based solutions, and promote transparency and accountability.”

    She further stated that promoting gender equality and inclusivity in education is another crucial area, calling for practical strategies, which include implementing gender-sensitive policies, increasing access for girls, supporting female educators, addressing cultural barriers, raising gender issue awareness, and fostering a safe learning environment for all students.

    In her opinion, Nigeria can ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed by prioritising gender equality.

    In a related development, Mrs Kamson stressed the importance of vocational and technical education in Nigeria’s educational landscape.

    “This form of education provides practical skills, prepares students for the workforce, and encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. To enhance its prominence, vocational education should be integrated into the mainstream curriculum, training opportunities expanded, industry partnerships strengthened, and its value widely recognised,” she emphasised.

    She added: “Through united and determined efforts from the government, private sector, and civil society, and by addressing these critical issues, Nigeria has the potential to overcome its educational challenges and create a brighter future for its learners.”

  • Starfield College pupil wins Robotics competition

    Starfield College pupil wins Robotics competition

    A senior secondary school pupil of Starfield College, Lagos, Miss Aduragbemi Sanyaolu, has emerged the first runner up in the ITGEN Robotics Competition for SSS students in Lagos at the weekend.

    The keenly contested competition had participants who emerged finalists at their various school levels slug it out at the final event.

    The six secondary schools that participated in the competition were Starfield College, Honeyland College, Baruwa Campus, Viscum College, Chessington College, Joen College and Riverside College.

    The six contestants were given 40 minutes to come up with a robotic design that seeks to bring about a solution to a societal problem

    At the end of the 40-minute exercise, the panel of judges selected the best three projects using the yardsticks of problem identification and solution that best identified the challenges among secondary school.

    An elated Sanyaolu whose Robotics project was on effects of bullying among secondary school students said she chose the topic as a result of the rising wave of bullying in schools.

    She said bullying has a lot of psychological effects on pupils which often leads to loss of concentration and fear.

    She urged victims of bullying not to keep quiet but speak out so they could be counseled and the perpetrators brought to justice.

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    The Star prize winner,Ugbaji Testimony from Honeyland School,Baruwa Campus, was presented with a cheque of N200,000 while the first runner up,Aduragbemi Sanyaolu from Starfield College won a bed side fridge and the second runner up, Stephanie Humphrey from CiscumCollege won a rechargeable fan.

    According to the organisers, ITGEN Robotics training programmes are designed to ignite students’ interest in technology and engineering.

    ‘‘Our curriculum covers everything from basic mechanics to advanced programming, equipping students with the skills to innovate and excel in the future of robotics. Join us to build, program, and explore the possibilities,’’.

    ITGEN also hosts exciting national competitions to inspire creativity and skill-building across all educational levels.

    ‘‘Primary schools can participate in the “Fastest Fingers” competition, while secondary students tackle the “ITGEN Creative Challenge.” Not to be left out, teachers vie for victory in the “ITGEN Football Challenge.” Join us to compete and excel,’’.

    Speaking at the prize presentation to the assembly of students on Monday, Principal Starfield College(senior school) Mrs.Sarah Oyinloye, while congratulating Sanyaolu for bringing glory and honour to the school urged other students to put in their best in whatever they do.

    “Sanyaolu has proved that with determination, nothing is impossible. For weeks she toiled day and night, sometimes sleeping as late as 3am to emerge victorious in the competition.

    She kept on pushing hard, engaging her Robotics teacher and asking relevant questions where she isn’t clear. Today, she has the result to show for her efforts,”.

    She challenged other students, saying there is a gift deposited in everyone and all that needs to be done is to identify that talent and build on it.

  • ASUU faults sack of 400 members

    ASUU faults sack of 400 members

    • Union seeks implementation of Briggs Report

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said over 400 members have been sacked in the last 10 or 15 years for fighting for their rights and interest of the university system.

    The intimidation and persecution, ASUU said, are common in state-owned institutions as governors, who are visitors to these institutions, don’t tolerate opposing views and policies.

    Past ASUU Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, Dr. Dele Ashiru, stated this during a Leadership Training Workshop for new union executives at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

    Participants were exposed to topics, such as, qualities required of leaders of the union for effective performance and principles of collective bargaining and negotiation.

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    According to Ashiru, the union has been standing against persecution and would continue to fight for the genuine interest of its members. He stressed that the union would not tolerate any unethical behaviour from any of its members.

    He said: “ASUU has been supporting members who were persecuted for fighting for the interest of the union and for betterment of the university system, and will continue to do this if it is in collective interest.

    “On the other hand, the union has sanctioned many erring members who engaged in unethical practices and will still do so if there are confirmed infractions. ASUU has zero tolerance for unethical practices and will continue to emphasise this to its members. The union does not tolerate indiscipline of any sort.”

    Citing the case of members at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, where 100 of them were sacked, and in Kogi State, where similar experience happened, Ashiru lamented that the deliberate persecution of union members has affected the morale of lecturers, adding that the union often clashes with management of institutions over unpalatable policies which oftentimes have political colouration.

    Acting branch Chairman of ASUU-OOU, Dr. Wasiu Olooto, said the workshop was organised to educate the executives on what is expected of them in discharging their roles and to know their limitations as well.

    The union has also called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the Nimi Briggs renegotiated draft as a sign of goodwill and assured hope for public universities.

    It said repositioning public universities for global recognition will remain a mirage without the Federal Government implementing the Nimi Briggs report.

    At a joint news conference by the Usman Danfodiyo University (UDUS) and Sokoto State University chapters, the union highlighted renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, withheld salary, earned academic allowances, illegal dissolution of governing councils, among other critical aspects, as issues disturbing public universities.

    The conference was addressed by the branch chairmen Muhammad Mustapha (UDUS) and Saidu Abubakar (Sokoto State University).

    They said: “We are dismayed by the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the already concluded Nimi Briggs report on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Also is implementation of the wage award, completion of the Sokoto State University Staff quarters, promotion arrears, underfunding of universities and deepening socio-economic crisis which has worsened the security situation in the country.”

    The duo said nothing was being done to properly fund universities to be able to address the shortage of lecture rooms and theatres, inadequate hostel and offices.

    The union also faulted refusal of government officials to obey the presidential directive to remove universities from the IPPIS platform.

    “To be our chagrin, universities are still being paid through IPPIS platform which ASUU has consistently rejected because it erodes the autonomy of our universities. We are also worried that some elements inside and outside government may be planning to undermine the government’s directive in view of the ambiguity that currently surrounds the transition out of IPPIS.

    “It is also sad that government has consistently deprived our members of their promotion arrears, particularly those on the professional cadre from 2018 to 2024. Also, in the aftermath of the 2022 struggle, the government claimed to have budgeted N170 billion which, of which N120 billion, to our understanding, was to address part of the outstanding Needs Assessment Intervention Fund, while the balance would go into an paying one of the agreed tranches of the EAA. Sadly, the government has not released any fund to the universities based on the understanding.

    “Hitherto, ASUU remains resolute on its patriotic mission to reposition the university system in particular and educational system in general for a transformed nation.”

  • NANS urge varsity teacher, Govt to reconsider stands

    NANS urge varsity teacher, Govt to reconsider stands

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) to find common grounds to prevent disruption in the academic calendar.

    Senate President Henry Okunomo made the appeal in Akure, Ondo State, during a news conference.

    ASUU had issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over some outstanding demands.

    According to Okunomo, the association is appealing to the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive actions to prevent a disruption in the educational sector. He also urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate sufficient resources to the educational sector to improve infrastructure, provide necessary teaching aids, and ensure timely payment of salaries and benefits to lecturers.

    Read Also: Tinubu calls for punishment of civil servants receiving salaries abroad

    The student leader noted that establishing a continuous platform for dialogue between the government, university administrators and lecturers to address grievances before escalation was important to prevent academic disruption.

    He added: “We are all aware of the recurring disruptions caused by strikes in our universities. These strikes, often as a result of unresolved issues between lecturers and the government, have profound and far reaching consequences on the educational journey of countless students.

    “It is with a heavy heart and a determined spirit that I address this pressing issue today, appealing to the government to take immediate and effective steps to prevent our lecturers resorting to another strike.

    “We, the students, are the primary stakeholders in this situation. Our voices, hopes, and futures hang in the balance. We are counting on the government to act decisively and with a sense of urgency to prevent the devastating impact of another strike.

    “We appeal to our lecturers to also embrace dialogue and shift ground where necessary to avoid collapse of the education system.”

    Okunomo concluded that it would be disastrous for lecturers to shut down the universities with an industrial action when the country is already battling economic hardship.

  • NANS declares support for police, hails IGP’s efforts in securing campuses

    NANS declares support for police, hails IGP’s efforts in securing campuses

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged to support the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and the Nigeria Police Force in their ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security in the nation.

    A statement by NANS Senate president Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said NANS recognises the crucial role that law enforcement agencies play in maintaining public safety and security on campuses and within communities.

    He hailed Egbetokun for the tireless efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to improve security.

    He said the impact of the IGP’s tenure has been profoundly felt across campuses and communities, adding that enhanced safety measures have not only reassured students and their families but have also contributed to a more conducive atmosphere for academic pursuits and community development.

    NANS urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore calls for the IGP’s removal, noting that his achievements within a short period are commendable, and with continued support and collaboration, he can accomplish even more in the future.

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    “NANS stands ready to support the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force in their ongoing efforts to safeguard our society. We believe in the IGP’s vision and capability to further enhance security and reduce crime, and we look forward to continued progress and success under his stewardship.

    “Since his appointment, the IGP has demonstrated remarkable dedication to securing the lives and properties of citizens. His proactive measures and strategic initiatives have significantly reduced the crime rate, fostering a safer environment for students and the general populace.

    “Moreover, there has been a noticeable improvement in overall security, and the IGP has been prompt in attending to various issues as they arise, ensuring swift and effective responses to maintain public order and safety.

    “We call on President Tinubu to maintain his support for the IGP and to recognize the substantial progress made under his administration. Together, we can build a safer and more secure Nigeria for all,” it said in the statement.

  • Advocacy group makes case for quality education for children

    Advocacy group makes case for quality education for children

    An advocacy group, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, has called for collective efforts to ensure every Nigerian child has access to quality education in a safe environment with appropriate measures to support their well-being.

    This appeal was made by the organization’s Head of Brand and Communication – Nigeria, Rhoda Ocheche, as part of the activities marking this year’s International Day of the African Child under the theme “Education for All: The Time is Now.”

    The organization emphasized the urgent need to address the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

    According to a recent UNICEF report, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with approximately 18.4 million children not attending school.

    The statement said: “What is the fate of the Nigerian child if 1 in 3 Nigerian children is out of school? Twelve point four million (12.4 million) children have never seen the inside of a classroom, and five-point nine million (5.9 million) leave school earlier than the stipulated graduation time. Nigeria accounts for 15% of the global total of out-of-school children (UNICEF, 2022). These figures are alarming and underscore barriers to education such as conflict and insecurity, vulnerability and scarce resources, cultural and gender norms, effects of climate change, limited infrastructure, and accessibility challenges.”

    The national director of SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, said: “There is an urgent need to address the barriers preventing millions of Nigerian children from attending school. Education is not just about knowledge acquisition; it is a fundamental right and a catalyst for breaking the cycle of poverty as seen in many other countries.

    “Nigeria, as a country, must double its efforts in tackling the issues of out-of-school children in society, especially in rural communities. SOS Children’s Villages prioritizes the educational needs of children through its numerous program implementations ensuring every child, irrespective of their background, receives the opportunity to learn, dream, and achieve their full potential.

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    “SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria calls on the government to reinvest in actionable policies and implementations that will take these children off the streets. There is a need for family strengthening to build economic capacity, empowering parents and caregivers to place their children in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children.

    “The essence of education will be defeated if learning environments are not conducive and safe for the children. All hands must be on deck to ensure absolute security and a peaceful atmosphere in schools by fully implementing the Safe School Declaration across states and communities.

    “Communities and relevant stakeholders must actively sensitize and create awareness on the importance of education for children, preaching the gospel of a child’s right to education as contained in the Child Rights Law. Most importantly, providing alternative care for children in emergencies reduces the number of out-of-school children. This method provides psychosocial and educational support for children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care and ensures that they grow up in a loving environment fit and mentally ready for school and society.

    “Lastly, policymakers, educators, civil society, and individuals should renew their dedication to creating an environment where every child can aspire, dream, and achieve regardless of their circumstances, empowering future generations to build a brighter and more equitable world.”