By Laide Akinboade
United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has raised alarm over 76.5% of children in Nigeria are facing multi-dimensional poverty.
This was revealed at a stakeholders meeting at the first edition of Naija Youth Talk themed ‘The Nigeria We Want’ – to mark the 2019 International Literacy Day.
In his remark the country representative of UNICEF said young people are the body and soul of every nation and Nigeria’s youths population is one of the largest in the world and has the highest number of out of school children (10.5), in the world.
“76.5% of children face multi-dimensional poverty. Too many Nigerian children and young people are being left behind, especially when it comes to education. Nigeria’s the world’s highest number of out of school children. More than 10.5 million Nigerian children are not in school.
“In the education sector, which is the focus of today’s brainstorming, our young people want an education system with good learning outcomes, where a child with nine years of basic education could read and write. Young people want an education that is function all, equipping them with skills to compete in the highly technical global market place”.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari , on Media, Femi Adesina, at his remarks called on Nigerian youths to love their country irrespective of the country fault.
He said, “Youths have a right to want a certain country because they are stakeholders. Youths are the future and they have the right to ask for a country without xenophobia.
“For us to have the country of our dream, then we must love our country and it must love us back in return. We must get to the level whereby we love Nigeria irrespective of its faults.
“It is very sad, that some people are happy when Nigeria is not working, this shouldn’t be because when it’s works it is for us”.
He said one of the major faults Nigeria included, ethnicity, religion, language, nepotism and fake news.
Adding that all these are use to cause malice and problems in Nigeria.Otto Orondaam, founder, slum2school Africa, who has worked with over 32,000 children in rural areas, said it is imperative to have great vision for the country as youths and ensure you pursue it.
