Legislator, Adewumi Adeyemi, also known as Irekandu, who represents the Obokun State Constituency, has urged all tiers of government to ensure that all residents, regardless of gender, religion, or political affiliation, have access to education.
The legislator made this call on Wednesday morning, January 24 while granting an interview on Western Spring Television, Osogbo in celebration of International Day for Education.
The legislator stated that since the curriculum hasn’t been able to address our current issues, it needs to be reviewed or adjusted.
He bemoaned the rising number of kids who are not attending school, calling it a ticking time bomb if appropriate action is not taken.
He acknowledged that education is a weapon for fighting poverty, but he also voiced concern over the country’s informal and technical education systems’ neglect or insufficient attention.
Adewumi urged stakeholders and the government at all levels to close the knowledge gap between formal and informal education by raising awareness and providing consistent guidance.
Adewumi who doubles as an architect revealed that the number of youths he has empowered with his firm—by offering alternative and contract jobs to residents who are prepared to learn, work, and earn—has grown beyond his count.
“My office brought back to schools over a hundred children who had been lost on the streets the previous year. By giving them writing supplies, backpacks for school, brand-new clothes, and tuition-free packages, we gave them access to education. The lawmaker from Ibokun town continued, “We also made some cash gifts available to their parents or guardians.”
Adewumi asserts that in order for any stakeholder to support education, whether it is through infrastructure, donations or scholarships, they must sincerely want to do so.
While pleading with all levels of government to take action in the field of education, Adewumi revealed that the right to education is guaranteed by section 18 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, specifically section 18 (1), which requires the government to focus its policies on guaranteeing that there are sufficient and equitable educational opportunities for all students.
