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Youth Orientation for Development (YOD UNESCO), under the leadership of its President, Ambassador Emmanuel Ejiogu, successfully led the 2026 International Day of Education celebrations with impactful educational outreach activities in Lagos State and Kaduna State, reaffirming its commitment to youth participation, inclusive education, and support for vulnerable children.
In Lagos, YOD UNESCO partnered with Smiles for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Initiative (SOVCI) and the Lagos State Ministry of Education, District V, to mark the day through another edition of the Street-to-School Initiative. The event was held at the Professor A.O.K. Noah Hall, Lagos State University of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, and brought together pupils from public primary and secondary schools, teachers, education officials, and key stakeholders.
In alignment with the 2026 global theme, “The Power of Young People as Co-Creators of Education,” over 100 pupils and students from public schools within Oto-Ijanikin were supported with educational materials. The initiative emphasized education as a fundamental right rather than a privilege, while highlighting the transformative role of young people in shaping inclusive and practical learning systems.
Ambassador Emmanuel Ejiogu, President of YOD–UNESCO, charged young people to remain creative, committed, and impact-driven in their learning journeys. He stressed the urgent need for youth inclusion in education planning and reform, noting that education must become more practical, participatory, and transformative to meet today’s realities. Ambassador Ejiogu emphasised that orphans and vulnerable children deserve quality education, describing them not merely as beneficiaries of support but as holders of potential, bearers of dreams, and co-creators of solutionswhen given access, protection, and opportunity.
SOVCI founder and team lead, Mr. Euriel Momah, explained that the Street-to-School Initiative launched in January 2023 was created to respond to the growing number of indigent children at risk of dropping out of school. He noted that SOVCI supports children through school fees, learning materials, and tertiary education assistance, while appealing for increased public support to expand its reach.
Prof. S.A. Dosumu commended SOVCI and YOD UNESCO for their role in bridging educational gaps, while urging educators to uphold high standards in delivering quality education. The Head of Service, Ojo Local Government Education Authority, Mrs. Ogunwesi, praised teachers for their dedication and encouraged students to remain focused and disciplined in their studies.
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YOD UNESCO further extended the International Day of Education celebration to Kaduna State, where an educational outreach program was held at Emmanuel Baptist School, Wusasa Zaria.
The programme, facilitated by YOD UNESCO volunteers, engaged 34 pupils and 12 teachers through interactive sessions including icebreakers, teaching segments, discussions, question-and-answer sessions, educational pledges, and student feedback. The focus was on helping young people understand their power and responsibility as active participants and co-creators of education within their schools and communities.
Students actively shared insights, reflected on lessons learned, and pledged to value education, respect their teachers, remain committed to their studies, and promote education within their communities.
Speaking during his keynote address, Ambassador Emmanuel Ejiogu reaffirmed YOD–UNESCO’s commitment to working with UNESCO, government institutions, civil society partners, and communities to ensure that every young person, especially the most vulnerable, has a seat at the table where education is designed.
He concluded by noting that when young people are empowered as co-creators, education becomes more than instruction it becomes liberation, and the future of education is built on partnership, participation and purpose.
