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Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the safe release of students abducted by bandits in Kaduna and Sokoto states.
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of the WTO-ITC 2024 technical assistance program for Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of education in driving economic development and expressed deep concern over the recent mass abduction of students and teachers in the country.
Highlighting specific incidents, she noted the abduction of over 200 students from the Government Secondary School Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna, as well as the disappearance of 15 Tsangaya students following a bandit attack on a school in Gidan Bakuso, Gada LGA of Sokoto.
Okonjo-Iweala, acknowledging the ongoing efforts of security operatives, underscored the urgency of the situation, urging swift action to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals.
Despite recent security measures, cases of attacks, killings, and abductions persist in various parts of the country, reflecting the ongoing challenges posed by insecurity.
The call to action comes amid escalating concerns over the safety and well-being of Nigerian students and underscores the need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of insecurity and safeguard educational institutions.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, Okonjo-Iweala’s appeal serves as a reminder of the critical role education plays in shaping the future and prosperity of Nigeria, urging stakeholders to unite to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
We are thrilled to announce that First Bank Nigeria has generously come on board as a major sponsor for our upcoming Charity Event in support of out-of-school children. Save the date – March 2nd, at the prestigious Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. Your presence is eagerly awaited!
Event Highlights:
Entertainment Extravaganza:
Join us for a laughter-filled evening with a talented stand-up comedian and groove to the lively tunes of a live band, creating an energetic and vibrant atmosphere.
Raffle Prizes Galore:
Your chance to win fantastic raffle prizes awaits! Don’t miss out on the excitement – who knows, you might be a lucky winner.
Awards Ceremony:
We’ll be recognizing and celebrating outstanding individuals who’ve made a significant impact. Witness the magic as we honor those who’ve gone above and beyond.
Gourmet Delights:
Indulge in a culinary delight with an array of gourmet food options that will tantalize your taste buds.
This event promises to be a unique blend of entertainment, philanthropy, and celebration. Your participation will contribute to a noble cause – ensuring a brighter future for out-of-school children.
Mark your calendar, spread the word, and join us for an unforgettable evening at the Civic Center. Together, let’s make a difference!
See you there!
In a distressing incident in Ekiti state, unidentified gunmen targeted Apostolic Faith School pupils who were en route to Emure-Ekiti on Monday. The assailants intercepted the school bus at Eporo-Ekiti, kidnapping an unspecified number of pupils, a teacher, and the driver.
Despite the harrowing ordeal, the Ekiti state government assures citizens that efforts are underway to rescue the abducted children. Governor Biodun Oyebanji urges residents not to lose hope, emphasizing the commitment of security agencies to bring the pupils and their teacher back safely.
This incident follows the tragic murder of two traditional rulers in Ekiti state, further underscoring the urgency of addressing security challenges. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals, calls upon the Ekiti state police command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and ensure the safe release of the abducted pupils.
In a resolute plea, let us unite to condemn this heinous act and advocate for the immediate release of these innocent children. Education is a fundamental right, and every child deserves a safe environment to learn and grow. By standing together against such atrocities, we send a clear message that the well-being of our children and the sanctity of education cannot be compromised.
As we condemn these acts of violence, let us amplify the call for the safe return of the kidnapped pupils. Our collective voice can make a difference in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to go to school without fear. It is crucial that we stand in solidarity, demanding justice and the restoration of security for our communities.
In a recent development, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, along with Hauwa Mustapha, has taken legal action against key figures in Nigeria’s education system. The lawsuit targets the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Attorneys General of the 36 states, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The crux of the matter revolves around ensuring the education of Nigerian children of school age. The applicants, representing themselves and the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond, are urging the Federal High Court in Lagos to issue an order compelling the 4th-40th respondents to pay the counterpart fund needed to access a matching grant of N68 billion in the Universal Basic Education Fund.
The court is also being petitioned to declare the legal obligation, as per the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, for the respondents to provide free, compulsory, and universal basic education for every Nigerian child of primary and junior secondary school age.
Additionally, the applicants seek declarations affirming the mandatory contributions from the Federal Government and each state, as outlined in sections 11(1) and 11(2) of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act. The refusal or failure of the respondents to access the allocated N68 billion for universal basic education is challenged as illegal, violating the provisions of the Act.
The affidavit, sworn to by Femi Falana on January 26, 2024, references a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), revealing an alarming estimate of 20.2 million out-of-school children in Nigeria. With one in three children in the country out of school, Nigeria currently holds the unfortunate record for the highest number of out-of-school children globally.
This legal action underscores the importance of addressing the education crisis in Nigeria and holding responsible parties accountable for the well-being and future of the nation’s children.
IA-Foundation has sought the partnership of the newly elected Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun in addressing challenges in providing basic education.
Mr. Diran Famakinwa, the foundation’s Vice Chairman, and Mr. Deji Ishmael, the Chairman of Board Strategic Communications, alongside Program Support Officer Miss Opeyemi Grace Adedara, expressed this intention during a recent visit to the Honorable Commissioner in his Lagos office.
The Vice Chairman took the opportunity to introduce IA-Foundation, shedding light on its mission, vision, and noteworthy accomplishments over the past five years.
The Commissioner lauded the Foundation for its commendable efforts in reducing the number of out-of-school children in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. Expressing gratitude, he urged IA-Foundation to intensify its focus on Lagos State, emphasizing the state’s unique status as “a country in a country” with a substantial population and a significant number of out-of-school children.
Recognizing the diversity of challenges faced by children who may not be inclined to pursue formal education, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun encouraged the Foundation to invest more in Skill Acquisition Programs. This, he believed, would empower children to take charge of their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
In a promising development, the Commissioner pledged to collaborate with IA-Foundation in promoting Skill Acquisition Programs across the state. He expressed his commitment to working hand in hand with the Foundation to ensure no child is left on the streets without access to education or skill development opportunities.
The IA-Foundation team expressed their appreciation for the Commissioner’s encouragement and his expressed interest in partnership.
Mr. Ishmael, assured the Commissioner that the details of their discussions would be communicated to the Foundation’s board.
As a tangible step towards fostering continued engagement, an invitation letter for the Foundation’s 5th Fundraising and Charity Ball for out-of-school children was presented to the Commissioner. In a show of support and commitment, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun graciously accepted the invitation, promising his attendance at the event.
This visit marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities and address the challenges faced by out-of-school children. The collaboration between IA-Foundation and the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education reflects a shared commitment to building a brighter future for the youth, ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education and skills that empower them for life.
In a bid to strengthen collaborations and address educational, the Board of Trustees representatives and staff of IA-Foundation recently engaged in a meaningful courtesy visit to the newly appointed Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun.
On the 9th of January 2024, Mr. Diran Famakinwa, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Deji Ishmael, Chairman of Board Strategic Communications, along with Program Support Officer Miss Opeyemi Grace Adedara, had the honor of meeting with the Commissioner. During this visit, the Vice Chairman provided a comprehensive overview of IA-Foundation’s mission, vision, and impactful achievements spanning the last five years.
The Commissioner lauded IA-Foundation for its commendable strides in reducing the number of out-of-school children, not just in Lagos State but across Nigeria. Expressing gratitude, he urged the Foundation to channel more efforts towards Lagos State, emphasizing its unique demographic challenges as “a country in a country” with a substantial population and a significant out-of-school children demographic.
Recognizing the diverse obstacles faced by children uninterested in traditional education, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun urged IA-Foundation to invest further in Skill Acquisition Programs. He believed that empowering children with practical skills would enable them to take control of their lives and make meaningful contributions to society.
In a promising development, the Commissioner pledged active collaboration with IA-Foundation in promoting Skill Acquisition Programs across the state. His commitment to working closely with the Foundation signifies a shared vision of ensuring that no child is left without access to education or skill development opportunities.
Expressing their gratitude for the Commissioner’s support, the IA-Foundation team, led by Mr. Deji Ishmael, Chairman of Board Strategic Communications, assured the Commissioner that all discussed matters would be promptly conveyed to the Foundation’s board.
Taking the collaboration a step further, an invitation letter for the Foundation’s 5th Fundraising and Charity Ball for out-of-school children was handed over to the Commissioner. In a show of solidarity, Honorable Jamiu Alli-Balogun graciously accepted the invitation, affirming his attendance at the event.
This visit not only marks a crucial moment in the ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities but also signifies a pivotal collaboration between IA-Foundation and the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education. Together, they are committed to building a brighter future for the youth, ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education and skills that empower them for life.
News like this excites us at IA-Foundation.
Yesterday, the 2nd of January 2024, President Bola Tinubu disclosed that the 2024 budget includes N100 billion allocation for the school feeding programmes.
He made this statement during the signing of the 2024 appropriation bill into law in the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu stated that the provision will serve as a stimulant to encourage attendance in schools and reduce the problem of out-of-school children.
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With 20.2 million out-of-school children, Nigeria ranks as the country with the second highest number of out-of-school children, with Pakistan and and India taking the first and third places respectively. However, in terms of concentration and comparison based on population ratio, Nigeria is the World’s Capital for out-of-school children.
Whether we like it or not, we are all in the consequences of the high rate of out-of-school children every day. Insecurity, poverty, low human capital, very low IGR, unemployment, the commodification of the girl-child, early child marriage, drug abuse, cultism, and high fertility rate leading to overpopulation among several others, are outcomes of the children that were neglected by the government, by us all, a few years ago.
As part of our Educational Advocacy, and Awareness Campaign, we stormed the streets of Lagos to demand for prioritization of education in the country. The walk, which lasted over 90 minutes, took off from the Ikeja under bridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly. Participants wore the IA-Foundation branded vest and face caps, carrying placards with different educational quotes, and sharing fliers to passersby, motorists. There were stops at strategic places such as Allen Avenue, Ikeja City Mall and close to the entrance gate of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Ten members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, mostly Chairman of different sub-committees came out to meet and addressed us. They expressed support for our cause and commended the Leadership of the Foundation. During our campaign, we asked for 7 things which are itemized below:
1. Increase the budgetary allocation to education to at least 15%
2. Make a legislation that penalizes parents, guardians, or caregivers who fail to send their wards to school.
3. Reduce the entry barriers into state owned schools. E.g delay in transiting from private primary school to government secondary schools, enrollment fees etc.
4. Build a digital database of out-of-school children in the state.
5. Open doors for partnerships with Civil Society Organizations, researchers and other education agencies to develop a strategic solution to end the menace.
6. Establish an out-of-school children commission
7. Invitation to the 2024 IA-Foundation Charity Ball at Civic Centre.
We have written to them and we are optimistic that the house will work on some of our request.
While on our way to the House of Assembly, we distributed fliers to individuals with details on how they can register an out-of-school child with IA-Foundation for possible bursary and sponsorship. You can visit www.ia-foundation.org click to register an out-of-school child.
I recall that we spotted a 12 year old boy who was selling handkerchiefs when his mates were in school. On behalf of IA-Foundation, I bought off all his handkerchiefs and followed him to his father around the Alausa secretariat. I
We plan to do more of this kind of campaign where pick children of school age from the street and work with relevant individuals and partners to put them back into the classroom where they belong.
We need to get some things right if the change we desire must happen. Therefore we must keep talking, engaging and advocating.
The IA-Foundation Out-of-School Children Summit, themed “Street to School: A Panacea to a Menace” was held on Wednesday 18th October 2023. It was a hybrid event, with the physical audience converging at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, while the virtual participants connected via Zoom and Facebook. The goal of the Summit was to trigger national consciousness, interest and involvement in the issue of out-of-school children among various stakeholders in multiple sectors and industries. The highlight of the Summit includes a goodwill message by Oba Abolarin Adedokun, a guest lecture by Babajide Ogunsanwo, a Keynote address by Femi Falana, two (2) panel sessions, a talk show presentation/performance by IA-Foundation beneficiaries, and an education poetic performance by 17-year-old UNESCO Youth Ambassador Tariq Lawal. At the Summit, Femi Falana was appointed the grand Patron of IA-Foundation.
The summit identified a myriad of cultural, systemic, economic, historical and psychological factors responsible for the education crisis in Nigeria, with a streamlined focus on out-of-school children. Examples are high fertility and child reproduction rate, low investment and budgetary allocation, culture of entitlement, inherited educational system from Colonia masters which limited the nation’s Education, poor leadership and corruption, weak policy and constitution that supports education, weaponisation of poverty and illiteracy, insecurity and insurgency, limiting beliefs, inadequate parental support, religion and lack of national ethos and morality among several others.
Key recommendations made across all sessions include increased budgetary allocation, curriculum revamp, deployment of contextualised technology, collective participation and citizens’ social investment, constitution reform to prioritise education, hosting of national conference on education, promulgation of policy that penalises parents whose children are not in school, multi-sector engagement in resource mobilisation, reorientation, and suggestion of solutions. Grassroots development, mentorship, and capacity development, making Education free at all levels, prioritization of education and implementation of the 20-26% budgetary allocation recommended by UNESCO among several others. The summit also stressed the need for advocacy, mental transformation and national re-orientation among others. s
Keywords that capture the summit’s outcome include advocacy, accountability, social investment, shared visioning, collective participation, policy reforms and systemic upgrade. A comprehensive Communique will be developed and shared across all platforms.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Southwark, Mr. Michael Situ will be hosting captains of industries, delegates and friends of a Nigerian and UK charity organisation, IA-Foundation, at the Southwark Civic townhall, London Bridge, overlooking the River Thames by 6 pm, on the second of February 2024.
The Founder and CEO of IA-Foundation, Mrs. Ibironke Adeagbo, announced during an interactive session with one of the reporters at the News Agency of Nigeria. According to Mrs Ibironke, the purpose of the event is to showcase the works, impacts and key findings of the Foundation and to attract the attention of the Nigerian diaspora community and international communities towards building shared visions and mobilising resources to combat the menace of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
The event, which will be attended by members of the UK parliament, UK councillors, politicians, philanthropists, delegates from corporate organisations, captains of industries, education practitioners, and friends and supporters of IA-Foundation in the United Kingdom, is part of the Foundation’s advocacy strategy to ensure the international community plays an instrumental role in the development of a solid and functional educational system in Nigeria.
In the words of the immediate past Commissioner of Education in Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, ‘IA-Foundation has continued to be the trailblazer in Nigeria’s education terrain’, and the Foundation has not relented in its efforts to ensure no child is left on the streets of Nigeria without a formal or informal education. Recently, IA-Foundation hosted a first-of-its-kind Out-of-School Children Summit in Lagos themed Street-to-School: A Panacea to a Menace where strategic, impact-driven and solution-oriented solutions were outlined to the menace of over 20.2 million out-of-school children in the country. The summit attracted prominent individuals and stakeholders such as Human Rights Activist Femi Falana; National Chess Champion and Founder of Chess in Slums Africa, government representatives, researchers, and corporate entities, amongst others.
Recently, in recognition of the amazing work of the organisation, the Foundation was honoured as the Most Innovative and Resourceful Charity Organization at the 7th edition of the Prestige Excellence and Award Lecture 2023. The award is in recognition of the innovative solutions and pragmatic contributions of the Foundation towards the advancement of the United Nations SDG 4. In her award speech, Mrs. Ibironke whom Timbiri Kieni Princess represented, noted that “the reward for hard work is more hard work” and reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring more children have access to quality and affordable education.
Furthermore, the work of the Foundation has continued to attract the attention of the Nigerian diaspora community. In a new post shared today, 14th November 2023, the Founder and CEO of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo was identified as one of the top 100 Outstanding Nigerians in the Diaspora. In a statement signed by the Co-editors, Dr. Badewa Adejugba-Williams and Kammonke Aba, the list serves as a veritable reference guide to the Nigerian diaspora skills database that relevant institutions could use. Furthermore, it is in recognition of the diaspora community members who are complimenting the efforts of the government through contributions to the development of Nigeria through their competencies, expertise and experiences.
Bare two days after our recognition and award as the Most Innovative and Resourceful Charity Organization at the 7th edition of the Prestige Excellence and Award Lecture 2023, we are excited to announce that our founder and CEO, Mrs. Ibironke Adeagbo has been listed as the 100 Most Outstanding Nigerians in Diaspora by Exemplar Magazine.
Our work at IA-Foundation has continued to attract the attention of the Nigerian diaspora community. In a new post shared today, 14th November 2023, the Founder and CEO of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo was identified as one of the top 100 Outstanding Nigerians in the Diaspora. In a statement signed by the Co-editors, Dr. Badewa Adejugba-Williams and Kammonke Aba, the list serves as a veritable reference guide to the Nigerian diaspora skills database that relevant institutions could use. Furthermore, it is in recognition of the diaspora community members who are complimenting the efforts of the government through contributions to the development of Nigeria through their competencies, expertise and experiences.
We congratulate our founder on this remarkable feat.