A United Kingdom (UK) based charity foundation, I-A Foundation, has disclosed plans towards sponsoring the education of about 13.2 million out-of-school Nigerian children.

Founder of the foundation, Mrs. Ibironke Adeagbo, made this known at a press briefing at the weekend. According to her, the foundation, which was established February 2019, is registered and regulated by a charity commission in the UK.

In her words, “At the moment, the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, according to research by UNICEF, is 13.2 million which is the highest all over the world. That is unacceptable.

“With 13.2 million children out of school in this age, somebody needs to do something urgently. The objective of I-A Foundation is to award bursary to children with educational challenges, to ensure that the girl-child gets proper education and also tackle major learning difficulties.”

She further explained that the project is a gradual process which will be taken from state to state in the country till success is attained.

“We are currently working with three states in the country namely Nasarawa, Ogun and Lagos states. We were at Nasarawa State last year.

“We are currently working with the Ogun State government, while we are in talks with the Lagos State government as well. Once we have recorded success in these states, we will move into other states.”

Trustee to the foundation, Mr. Diran Famakinwa, added that strategies will be put in place to ensure that the issue is taken serious at all levels.

He said: “We will like to urge the government to legislate around the issue. There should be penalty for parents who fail to send their children to school. Masters using children as maids and house helps without making sure they have food education should be persecuted. We will also set up agents to bring in children found on the street hawking and loitering for questioning and interrogation, so as to enable us know what the problems are,” Ibironke added. (The Nation)

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