Gafar Alabi,

The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, has enumerated the importance of partnerships among government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate bodies and other stakeholders in addressing the challenge of out-of-school children.

Ifede, made this known while delivering his remarks at the 2nd annual public lecture and distribution of textbooks and other learning materials to indigent children, organised by the Promoting Education for Indigent Children Foundation (PEFIC), with the theme: ‘The Menace of Out-of-School Children: Causes and Remedies.’

Represented by the Director of Academic and School Services, Mrs. Kehinde Anifowose, the SUBEB chairman described the initiative as a collective commitment to ensure access to quality education for every child, irrespective of socio-economic background.

Ifede, commended the foundation for its support for indigent children through the provision of textbooks and other educational materials, urging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the resources, remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence, called on well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the foundation's gesture.

Delivering a lecture, a Professor from the Faculty of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Opeyemi Shoaga, stressed on the need to provide children with basic educational necessities, including school uniforms and learning materials, noting that government could not  shoulder the responsibility alone, thus, making the support of other stakeholders essential.

She identified ignorance and lack of awareness, insecurity, cultural and traditional beliefs, gender inequality and family breakdown, among others, as major causes of the out-of-school children challenge, urging governments at all levels to strengthen the implementation of free and compulsory basic education.

Earlier, the convener and Chairman of the Management Committee of the initiative, Alhaji Lateef Oridota, appealed to philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals to support the foundation's core motives, assuring donors that all contributions would be properly accounted for.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Noheem Bello, of NUD Primary School, Oke-Ijeun, Abeokuta, expressed appreciation to the foundation for the educational materials given to him and pledged to use them judiciously.