*Says urgent steps should be taken to address trend
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasajo on Thursday, alerted that the high rate of out-of -school children across the country is constituting threat to the current state of insecurity in Nigeria
Chief Obasanjo raised the alarm while speaking at the First Founders Day celebrations of Apata Community Grammar School (ACGS), Ibadan, organised by the school’s alumni association, held at the Jogor Center, Ibadan,
The former President who was the
Special Guest at the event, said there is the need for urgent steps to address the trend, if not, the challenges of insecurity facing the country, will remain insurmountable.
Former President Obasanjo stated that considering the alarming rate of out of school children, poverty, unemployment and criminality, the menace will remain a big challenge if not addressed
“Let me also say this, in spite of what we see around , we are still a backward country as far as education is concerned. 273 universities, but we have 20 million children who should be in school that are not in school and they are all over Nigeria”, he said.
The former President added, “There’s no state that can claim that all the children that should be in school are in school. No state.There are differences, Yes. So that is a challenge for all of us.This is the cause of the type of problem we are in now. Problem of insecurity.
” The main cause of which, poverty, unemployment, lack of education among the children and youth that should be employed who have no employment, that should be given skill, who have no skill and they have to live and they live on criminality”.
He noted further, “It is our responsibility, and unless we do something about it, insecurity will not go away, unless we do something about it, banditry will not go away unless we do something about it, kidnapping will not go away. We are challenged, and part of what we can do is what the old students of ACGS are doing.
“Get yourself together and do something about education.The commissioner said 21% of the budget of the state goes for education, but even the government, is overwhelmed with issues needing attention. Government needs helping hands in all areas, but particularly in the area of education. And we can do it. So you all students of ACGS, I congratulate you, I felicitate with you ”
Commending national president of the school alumni association for making a difference in the school, the former President charged the association to liaise with the school authorities to find out what are the essential facilities and materials that will make the school to continue to fly high.
Gov Seyi Makinde, while speaking at the programme through the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof Soliu Adelabu, said the state government prioritizes education and thus committed 21 per cent of its 2024 budget to the sector in line with UNESCO standard.
” No society can develop beyond the level of her education, so, we take education seriously in the state and we don’t leave any arm of education unattended to and that is why our teachers are our assets. We are recruiting 7500 teachers into our secondary schools as a result of the vision we have for educational development in the state”, he said.
National President, of Apata Community Grammar School, Ibadan, Prince Bashorun Adewunmi appreciated Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for gracing the occasion, promising to hold the event annually as an avenue to give back to the alma mater.
At the event Chief Olusegun Obasajo was presented with the Patron Award, Governor Seyi Makinde (Life Patron Award), Mrs Olabisi Are ( Pioneer Principal Award) as well as other members of the alumni association.
