The Osun State chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) has flagged off its “Educate a Child, Save Our Future” initiative, aimed at promoting education, mentoring students and encouraging young people to pursue academic excellence.
The programme, held in Ede on Friday brought together students from selected public and private secondary schools across Ede North and Ede South Local Government Areas, with participants receiving mentorship and educational guidance.
Speaking at the event, the Osun State Chairman of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Lion Olayemi Olaribigbe, said the initiative was designed to counter the growing perception among some young people that education is no longer valuable.
According to him, the project seeks to reassure students and parents that education remains the surest path to personal development and a better future.
“We want to change the narrative that education is a scam. We want every child and parent to know that education is the path to greater heights and a good legacy,” he said.
Olaribigbe explained that the initiative would focus on reaching students in grassroots communities through mentorship, career guidance and the provision of writing materials to support their academic pursuits.
He noted that although the programme had existed under previous leadership, the current administration was sustaining the initiative to expand its impact across the state.
“This is just the flag-off. We are taking the programme to other senatorial districts and local government areas because we want more students to benefit,” he added.
The NYC chairman described the turnout at the event as encouraging, noting that students from schools with strong academic records participated in the programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to believe in themselves despite life’s challenges, stressing that determination and hard work could help them achieve success.
Also speaking, a representative of the Osun State Ministry of Youth Affairs, Bakare Sikiru Adedeji, described the initiative as timely, saying education remains critical to national development.
He commended the organisers for complementing government’s efforts in promoting quality education and urged them to sustain the programme.
“They should continue to do more for the success of the state and the country. The students have been sensitised on the importance of education, and that is very important,” Adedeji said.
The Director of Education of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Osun State chapter, Adewale Iyanuoluwa Godwin, said the project was inspired by the need to prepare young people for future leadership roles.
He said students required continuous guidance, mentorship and exposure to make informed career choices and contribute meaningfully to society.
“These children are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to guide them while they are still young and help them discover their career paths so they can become responsible citizens,” he said.
Godwin called for the sustainability of the initiative, urging organisers to make it a continuous programme that would reach more students across the state.
He also encouraged participants to take advantage of technology and learning opportunities to build successful careers and make positive contributions to society.
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