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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The federal and state governments have been encouraged to sufficiently invest in education to address the spate of banditry in the country.
The National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, Eghosa Erhumwunse, who made the appeal on Monday in Abuja, said there was no better legacy a government could bequeath to its citizens than education.
Erhumwunse disclosed that SOS Children’s Villages has entered into partnerships with Save the Children International, Plan International, and Terre des Hommes to assist indigent children who cannot afford quality education and other social amenities across the country.
He also emphasised the need for the government to put modalities in place to eliminate violence, exploitation, and abuse of indigent Nigerians.
According to him, the Joint Forces for Children Coalition aims to ensure the rights of vulnerable groups, guaranteeing their safety and access to education.
He said: “Nigeria has one of the largest child populations globally, according to a UNICEF report, with 40% of its population under the age of 15.”
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Speaking on the Joint Forces for Children Coalition, he said: “This groundbreaking initiative aims to ensure that children’s rights to safety, education, and participation are protected and promoted.
“The coalition will work in alignment with government policies and programmes, reinforcing efforts to safeguard and empower the nation’s youngest citizens and future generations.”
According to him, “this coalition is a testament to our collective belief that no child should be left behind. Together, we are stronger, and we will achieve transformative change for the future of Nigerian children.
“It is often said that if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Today, we commit to going far and wide for the children of Nigeria by pooling our resources and expertise. We can create a Nigeria where every child is safe, educated, and empowered to thrive.”
He announced that the coalition has formalised its collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 21 January 2025, ensuring quality representation and commitment from each member organisation.
“Its strategic focus will cover critical areas including advocacy—driving policy changes to uphold children’s rights; child protection—eliminating violence, exploitation, and abuse; education—advancing inclusive and quality education for all children; participation—empowering children to actively engage in decisions affecting their lives; and humanitarian response—prioritising children during crises and emergencies,” he added.
