Children’s Day Celebration: NANS calls on the government to increase funding for education

In a press release signed by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Comrade Danielson Bamidele Akpan, the association has called on the federal, state and local governments to increase funding for education, especially basic education, as the country is notorious for having the highest number of out-of-school children in the world.

According to Akpan, Children’s Day has been carved out in an effort to recognise and celebrate children as future leaders of the country.

He said: “Nigerian children have excelled despite numerous challenges. One prominent [child] in recent times is Tanitoluwa Adewunmi, an eight-year-old Nigerian [who] made international headlines when he emerged [as the] Chess champion. He [embodies] the story of the excellent spirit of the Nigerian child.”

He went on to reiterate the importance of basic education as well as its effect on the future of Nigeria and advised the government to restructure and reposition the Universal Basic Education Scheme to meet the present challenges and realities in the nation.

Furthermore, Comrade Akpan blamed the leaders for failing to represent the message sent by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region who invested a whopping N4.8 billion in education during his time. Today, that amount would easily run into trillions of Naira.

He also expressed his displeasure at Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo state, for seeking to commercialise education in the state and halting the tradition of free education established by Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which he also benefited from.

He concluded by reiterating the commitment of NANS’ leadership to stand with the good people of Ondo state, until the anti-people education policies of Rotimi Akeredolu are reversed.