The former deputy governor of Imo State , Prince Eze Madumere has tasked governments across the country to as a matter of urgency address the menace of over twenty million out of school children across the country.
This, he said, would assist in building leadership skills and morals of the affected children and also enhance societal norms and sustainable development of the nation.
Prince Madumere stressed that children are leaders of tomorrow and the future of the country, hence the government and parents must attach importance to issues concerning their academics, welfare and moral upbringing so as to build an egalitarian society.
He made this call while addressing newsmen in Owerri, the Imo state capital recently.
The former governor noted that the ratio of out-of-school children in the country is not only alarming but also a national embarrassment that must be addressed frontally.
Prince Madumere submitted that the future of the country does not present a sustainable scenario if the increasing trend of out-of-school children across the country continues unchecked.
Madumere, an American trained technocrat said, there is a need for thinking out of the box on the way forward for compulsory education of Nigerian children.
He however expressed optimism that with proper planning, critical thinking and adequate budgetary 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 further stated that “it is astonishing and unbelievable that many of our children are out of school, 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 wake up from this slumber. This is a dangerous trend that 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 guarantee 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 stipulates that a child must attend school, and if you don’t send your child to school, there is punishment for this offence.”
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 prescribe punishments for such oversight”.
Prince Madumere revealed that however, the Child Right 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, so as to ensure that the Nigerian child enjoys the privileges, right to education, welfare and security as obtainable in civilized climes.
