The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, has declared that the number of out-of-school children across the country requires urgent attention.
Olakulehin made this declaration while receiving the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr Muhammad Sani Idris and his team.
The traditional ruler, while speaking, said that Almajiri and out-of-school children have become national issues.
He maintained that urgent attention by the appropriate and relevant governments and their agencies is needed to tackle the problem.
Olakulehin, who spoke through the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Bolaji Adewoyin, described the issue as a time bomb that requires urgent attention.
The monarch said: “The issue of Almajiri and out-of-school children is a time bomb that can explode any time if necessary steps are not taken.
“To combat this menace, traditional, cultural and religious approaches should be taken to overcome this anti-developmental malaise and security risk before it gets out of hand.”
Idris, in his address, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception accorded the members of the commission during the visit.
He used the opportunity to appeal to traditional rulers across the country to join hands with the three tiers of government in Nigeria to tackle the menace.
Idris urged parents and guardians to ensure the proper education of not only their children but other children around them for a better Nigeria.
“President Bola Tinubu directed me to visit you as one of the paramount rulers in the country to use your influence to reduce the number of Almajiri and out-of-school children, if not totally eradicated, to stop them from joining the deadly Boko Haram group recruiting them into their fold daily,” he stated further.
“Over 500,000 Almajiri and 20 million plus out-of-school children are spread over our nation; we, therefore, should meaningfully engage to discourage them from various criminal activities.”
Out-of-school children: National issue requiring urgent attention – Olubadan
