*As SDGs boss wants States to prioritize basic education
EHIME ALEX, Lagos
The Federal Government said it has developed a strategic blueprint to address the menace and challenge of millions of out of school children in the country.
According to a statement signed by Janet McDickson, head of communications at OSSAP-SDGs on Wednesday, the disclosure was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, while playing host to the Governor of Gombe, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in her office on Tuesday.
The presidential aide said the huge number of out of school children roaming the streets in Nigeria is a big challenge to both the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the overall development of the country.
She stressed that it was in response to this that the federal government developed a strategic blueprint to help move the children from streets to classrooms.
“Nigeria signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 and has remained committed to its full implementation. But achieving Goal 4 on quality and inclusive education will remain a mirage if we do not first tackle the menace of out of school children. So, we have developed a strategic blueprint and currently working with the Nigerian Governors Forum and in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian and the Ministry of Education to bring a lasting solution to this challenge,” the presidential aide stated.
Orelope-Adefulire, who expressed optimism that the efforts would bring about sustainable solution to the problem, however pleaded with state governments and other stakeholders to prioritize education as the real foundation for enduring development.
On his part, Governor Inuwa Yahaya was quoted assuring to the commitment of his administration to the attainment of SDGs by the 2030 target date, noting that with the support of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, the state has been able to develop an integrated SDGs based Development Plan for Gombe.
Governor Yahaya added that the 10 years Development Plan would further enable the State to avoid the pitfalls that were evident in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals by previous administrations, while also fast tracking all round developments in the State.
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