 The Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), an NGO, has called on all levels of government to tackle the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Bamidele Salam, Founder and President of CALDEV, made this appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a rally in Abuja on Saturday the 25th of May. The rally, themed "Children Have a Voice, Lend Them Your Ears," was part of CALDEV’s activities to mark the 2024 International Children’s Day. Represented by Akintayo Jimoh, a trustee of CALDEV, Salam described the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria as a national menace that must be addressed urgently. He warned that Nigeria's future is bleak and unsecured if this trend continues unchecked.
Salam urged Nigerians to celebrate their children on May 27 and emphasized the need for critical thinking to ensure compulsory education for all Nigerian children. He pointed out that over 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, the highest number globally, despite Nigeria not being the most populous country. Salam stressed the danger this poses to the country's future if urgent steps are not taken at all levels. Salam highlighted existing laws like the UBEC Act and the Child Rights Act, which mandate school attendance and protect children's rights. He urged the enforcement of these laws to ensure children are not exploited, abused, or neglected. Jimoh added that although many states have domesticated the Child Rights Act, effective implementation remains a challenge. He called on state governments to demonstrate leadership and political will to ensure every Nigerian child enjoys the right to education and protection. Source: NANNEWS
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