NO NATION CAN PROGRESS WITH OVER 13 MILLION CHILDREN OUT IF SCHOOL
By Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts Mr Bamidele Salam, says no nation can expect to accelerate development and growth with 13.5 million out-of-school children.
He made the remark at the National Children Leadership Conference (Abuja 2023) with the Theme: “Rebuilding Nigerian Through Investment in Children’s Education, Welfare And Security’’
The programme which was part of the activities to commemorate this year’s 2023 Universal Children’s Day was organised by Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV).
The lawmaker observed that the federal government must be proactive in addressing insecurity in schools which, he said, is adding to the number of out-of-school children in the country.
“No nation can expect to accelerate development and growth with this number of children out-of-school, and we should be able to proffer solutions to this problem in a manner that will be sustainable.
“This is to ensure that all stakeholders, government, civil societies, communities, religious bodies, put hands together to make sure that we take off the children from the street from begging, from roaming about the streets and to the school.”
Salam said he stands with the children on their calls for a better deal to make their lives better by calling for more investment in education through increased budgetary allocations to education.
According to the Lawmaker, a minimum of 15 per cent of the national budget should be committed to education.