2025 Children’s Day: Ex-Imo Deputy Gov challenges Gov’t, Parent’s to tackle over 20 Million out of School Children menace

BY: EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU.

The former deputy governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has challenged governments nationwide to deal decisively with the menace of over twenty million out-of-school children across the country.

This, he submitted, would assist in building leadership skills, the acumen and dexterity, and morals of the children, coupled with inculcating societal norms and sustainable development of the nation.

Prince Madumere stressed that children are leaders of tomorrow and the future of the country and government. Parents must take seriously issues concerning their academics, welfare, and moral upbringing to build a civil, egalitarian, and equitable society.

Prince Madumere made this call while addressing Journalists in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.

Prince Madumere highlighted that the ratio of out-of-school children in the country is alarming and a national embarrassment that must be addressed frontally.

Prince Madumere submitted that the collective future of the country does not present a sustainable scenario and appeared unsecured if the increasing trend of out-of-school children across the country was not addressed.

He urged Nigerians to prepare and celebrate their children on May 27 as a mark of honor and respect for their dignity and future prospects.

Prince Madumere, an American-trained technocrat, revealed that there is a need for thinking out of the box on the way forward for the compulsory education of Nigerian children.

He, however, expressed optimism that with proper planning, critical thinking, and adequate budget provisions, the sky would be the starting point for the children.

He said, “I am optimistic that with proper planning, accurate database, logistics, and adequate budgetary provisions our children will excel and rise beyond expectations ”

He says, “It is astonishing and unbelievable that many of our children are out of school, and as I speak with you, there are over 20 million children who are out of school across the country”.

”This is the highest anywhere in the world; other countries are working to ensure their children are educated and given the best. We must arise and wake up from this slumber.

“This is a dangerous trend and must be checked by the authorities. If urgent steps are not taken at all levels, it means that the future of this country is uncertain academically.

“There are laws that have guaranteed the protection of our children’s rights and education is part of these rights, so we must ensure that our children’s rights are protected.

“Laws ranging from the UBEC Act which stipulated that a child must attend school, and if you don’t send your child to school, there is punishment for this offense.”

According to Prince Madumere, “The law is clear and explicit. There is also the Child Rights Act that compels us as citizens to ensure we have the duty of care and enroll the children in school.

” These laws ensure that our children are not exploited sexually, that our children are not abused, and we have the duty of care as parents.

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse, the law must be obeyed. “So, if anybody fails, there are provisions of the law that have prescribed punishments for such oversight”.

Prince Madumere revealed that, however, the Child Rights Act has been domesticated by many states across the country, and effective implementation of the law remains a huge challenge.

The former deputy governor challenged state governments to display leadership and political will by implementing the Act to ensure that the Nigerian child enjoys the privileges, right to education, welfare, and security as obtainable in civilized clime.