Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in Children’s Day Celebration with students from various schools. Photo: Novo Isioro
As the country joins the rest of the world to commemorate Children’s Day, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on governments at all level to provide free and compulsory education to the Nigerian child.
President of NANS, Mr. Danielson Akpan, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Monday, in commemoration of the Children’s Day.
He noted that the Nigerian children have excelled, despite numerous challenges.
He also called on the three tiers of government to increase funding for education, “especially the basic education where we have the record of having the highest number of out-of-school children.”
According to him, basic education is the foundation upon which any education structure is built and can determine greatly the future of its people.
“Nigerian children have excelled despite numerous challenges. One prominent child in recent times is, Tanitoluwa Adewunmi, an eight year old Nigerian, who made international news headlines, when he emerged Chess champion. He is the story of the excellent spirit of the Nigerian child,” Akpan said.
He further urged the government to restructure and re-position the Universal Basic Education scheme (UBE), to meet the present challenges and realities as a nation.
“John Whitehead, a human rights activist and civil liberties advocate said, ‘Children are the living messages, we send to a time we will not see.’
“Unfortunately, many of our leaders today, represent that message sent by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Former Premier of the Western region, who invested in his time, a whooping N4.8bn, in education.
“That amount today runs into trillions of Naira and about 30 per cent of the total budget as at then.
“We are committed to playing our role as a pressure group to push for good governance at all levels and as an association, to protect the interest of our members in Nigeria and across the globe,” he said.