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ABUJA – In a significant move to tackle the growing challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria, members of the 10th House of Representatives, alongside other key stakeholders, on Wednesday called on State Governors across the country to adopt at least five motherless children.
The proposal, is targeted at addressing the educational deficit and ensuring the welfare of vulnerable children, was part of discussions held at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
The House, in collaboration with various civil society organizations, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to tackling the out-of-school children crisis.
On the 4th day of the ongoing National Children Leadership Conference, organized by the Children of African Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, commended the initiative for its focus on children’s welfare.
She praised CALDEV’s Founder, Hon. Bamidele Salam, for his commitment to prioritizing children in leadership development programs.
She emphasized that children have often been excluded from various initiatives organized by public institutions, which typically focus on women, youths, persons with disabilities, and other societal groups. She acknowledged CALDEV’s unique approach in addressing the needs and potential of children, calling it a timely and much-needed intervention.
“The impact has been truly remarkable. Many children have had the opportunity to express themselves through acting, singing, and various other activities, allowing them to showcase their talents and gain valuable skills they might not typically learn in school. This initiative is not only inspiring but also highly commendable.
“As for government policy, I believe that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a father figure who genuinely cares about the future of young people. In his recent national address, he highlighted his commitment to organizing a nationwide conference for youth, a powerful initiative aimed at positively influencing the lives of our young citizens.
“When we give our young people a voice, we are shaping the future. I always tell the young people I meet that the future is not a distant dream, it’s now. We must start including them in every aspect of what we do, so that the leadership skills and potential they need to grow will develop naturally, because they’ve been part of the process from the very beginning.”
“My clarion call is simple: Every one of us, regardless of wealth, can make a difference. I urge you to adopt a child today, especially one who is out of school. Right now, in Nigeria, the alarming reality is that for every three children, one is out of school. This is a challenge we must all address together.
“For your information, approximately 60 percent of the children in this group are girls. Additionally, this population represents about 15 percent of the global total of children who are out of school. This means Nigeria is shouldering a significant portion of the world’s out-of-school children, which calls for immediate action. It is an emergency that requires our collective attention and proactive measures.
“We must act as mothers, fathers, policymakers, and government officials. If our governors could adopt just five out-of-school children each, it would make a tremendous impact in bringing many children back to school. This is an initiative that must be pursued without delay because when we discuss the future of Nigeria, we are talking about the future of these children, our future leaders.
“We must address these issues from the very foundation, the grassroots level, the core of the problem. If we fail to do this, we are not preparing for a better future for Nigeria. It is critical that we urgently focus on this area and ensure that children who are out of school are brought back into the education system.
“Many of these children are being lured into dangerous activities such as drug abuse, hooliganism, and thuggery. If we don’t give them the right attention and opportunities, we will be failing to lay the groundwork for a brighter future. Now is the time for us to act and make the right choices.”
In his remarks, Mr. Charles Usie, Country Director for Plan International Nigeria, emphasized the importance of young Nigerians, especially the participants, translating the knowledge they gain in school into practical skills that can address real-world problems.
He said, “We encouraged you to go to school, and you’ve done that. What you gain in school is knowledge, the understanding of how the world works and the opportunity to learn new things. But here’s the challenge I want to leave with you: to truly succeed in life, you must transform that knowledge into practical skills. Knowledge alone will not propel you forward.”
He continued, “What many don’t realize is that school doesn’t teach you how to be a successful doctor, engineer, or any other professional. It teaches you what doctors or engineers do, which is why you take exams. What truly makes you successful is not just knowing the theory, but how you can apply that knowledge as a skill to solve real-world problems.”
Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki on his part emphasized the growing divide between Nigeria’s older and younger generations, largely due to the rise of social media. He expressed concern over this generational gap, stating, “I strongly believe it is time for us to foster intergenerational dialogue, so that knowledge can be shared.”
To bridge this gap, he called for a concerted effort to empower and enlighten the younger generation. “We must be intentional in educating and exposing them to new opportunities. Above all, we must focus on elevating the younger generation to ensure they are equipped to thrive,” he asserted.
“When we empower our young people and give them a voice, we are actively investing in our future. I often tell the young people I encounter that the future is not some distant goal; it is now. We must begin involving our youth in every aspect of what we do, so that their leadership potential can grow naturally, as they have been part of the process from the start.
“My clarion call is simple: we all have a role to play, and you don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference. I urge everyone to consider adopting a child today, particularly one who is out of school. Currently, one in every three children in Nigeria is out of school. This is a challenge that we must all confront, and it begins with each of us taking action.”
In her remarks, Hajia Nafisat Usman, representing Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized that the participants are the future leaders of Nigeria. She highlighted the unique advantage the younger generation holds over the older one, thanks to the rapid advancements in technology.
However, she urged the youth to make the best use of social media for their intellectual growth.
“You have access to various resources, whether it be a tablet or a laptop. These tools offer you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and better yourselves. Social media, when used for educational purposes, can be incredibly beneficial. But, if misused, it can easily become a distraction,” Dr Maida’s representative stated.
