As the economic hardship in the country bites harder, an Ogun State-based organization has begged parents not to see withdrawing their wards as a solution to their challenges.
Olusola Oji, the Project Coordinator of the organization maintained that providing education would set the groundwork for the next generation to engage in government and impact constructive change.
Oji spoke on Thursday while distributing
basic school supplies to over 350 school children across Kobape, Libegu, and Onipepeye communities in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
The items include school bags, sandals, water bottles, stationery, food flasks and food items, among others.
She explained that the gesture of the organization, Jofunmi Loving Heart Foundation, is a response to the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, currently estimated at 18.3 million according to a UNICEF report from May 2024.
Oji said, “With the rising cost of school supplies, we wanted to ensure that children remain in school and continue their education. Our belief is that government alone cannot address all needs, so we stepped in to provide some relief to parents.
“Parents must do everything in their power to ensure their children receive a quality education, as this is the surest path to ensuring they become tomorrow’s policymakers.”
She expressed concern over the state of education in Nigeria, criticizing successive governments for neglecting the sectors and called for a reversal of this trend, noting that those who benefited from free education in the past should provide similar opportunities for the current generation.
“We are calling on the government and well-meaning citizens to invest in educational infrastructure and resources. Whether it’s rehabilitating classrooms, providing furniture, or supplying books, every effort counts. It’s time for education to take its rightful place as a priority in Nigeria,” she said.
She, however, urged parents to instill values that would prepare children to combat corruption and contribute to a better Nigeria when they assume positions of power in the future.