Fatshimetrie
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Out-of-School Children in Nigeria
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo raised a critical issue during his speech in Bauchi, regarding out-of-school children in Nigeria. He highlighted that this situation represents a breeding ground for future Boko Haram insurgents, if not properly addressed now.
Obasanjo stressed that education and human capacity building are essential to ensure development and the creation of a safer society. He warned that according to the World Bank, over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, when they should be. Out of a population of about 220 to 230 million, this represents 10% of the population that should be in school, but is not.
He warned that if these children are not properly trained to develop their intrinsic capacities and serve their families and communities, they risk being recruited in 10 to 15 years by extremist groups. Obasanjo stressed that this would provide fertile ground for the emergence of new forms of violence, such as banditry and other criminal acts.
The former President appealed to leaders at all levels to join hands and find a lasting solution to this menace once and for all. He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for embarking on the construction and rehabilitation of the roads, stressing that the projects would open up new development opportunities for the state.
The Governor on his part said that the road works were part of the transformative vision of his administration. He said that over 116 roads, covering 1,482.25 kilometres, have been constructed in the state, of which 79 have already been completed and are ready for inauguration.
In addition to these achievements, Obasanjo launched the distribution of 10,000 hearing aids to needy people in North East Nigeria in Bauchi, through the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in partnership with Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Awareness of the importance of education and human capacity development is crucial to prevent the recruitment of youth by extremist groups. It is imperative that the authorities put in place effective education policies and programs to ensure a better and safer future for all citizens of Nigeria.
This hearing aid distribution initiative illustrates commitment and solidarity towards the most vulnerable populations. By investing in education and providing development opportunities, society will be able to ensure a better life for all its members and reduce the risks of instability and violence in the long term..
In conclusion, awareness on the importance of education and training of the youth is essential to building a peaceful and prosperous future for Nigeria. It is imperative that political leaders, development actors and the society at large join hands to provide every child with the opportunity to access quality education, thereby ensuring a better future for all.