The responsibility of ensuring that every child in Nigeria is educated is everybody’s concern and should be taken seriously.
Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who made this remark in Birnin Kebbi, capital of kebbi State, said for the Federal Government, it is a priority being given the right attention.
He said bringing every child on board the ship of education is a national priority, which every stakeholder must take seriously.
Nwajiuba who was speaking at the national campaign on out-of-school children, said no meaningful progress can be made by any country if it has a high number of illiterate youths as does Nigeria.
“The high number of out-of-school children is inimical to the growth and development of any nation.
“The Federal Ministry of education is determined to ensure that all children of school age who are out of school are returned and retained to complete their Basic and secondary education and possibly transit to tertiary institutions.
He urged joint efforts between stakeholders, especially communities where these children live, to ensure that they are given the necessary support to achieve education.
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government at theoccasion, said the state is fully committed to eradicating the out of School Children phenomenon.
The governor said has about 900,000 out-of-school children, adding that his administration has so far spent over N15.5 billion to biuld 552 classroom blocks, boreholes, toilets and furniture for schools in the state.
“Through series of interventions, the governor said Kebbi state has put in place a number of strategies, including sensitization and massive enrollment drive as well as the provision of necessary and adequate infrastructure,” he said.
