The education charity, IA-Foundation has taken its campaign to Kent in South East England, to sensitize the international community on the negative impact of the out-of-school crisis in Nigeria.
The charity has been pushing since 2019, to eradicate out-of-school problem in Africa’s most populous nation, where no fewer than 20.2 million are currently out of school.
UNICEF records that insecurity, poverty and rising cost of living have forced many kids, especially the girl-child out of classrooms in the expansive West African country, which is also Africa’s top crude exporter.
Education has suffered setbacks in recent years in Nigeria with universities in the country shut for about eight months, following a dispute between the Federal Government and university teachers over pay.
The Chief Executive Officer of IA-Foundation, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
Adeagbo said that Nigeria’s UK top envoy, Amb. Sarafa Ishola, and a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, would be at the 4th annual charity of the foundation to raise funds.
According to her, the event is slated for March 18 at the Bishop Justus CE School in Bromley, Kent.
She said that funds realized at the event would be used to open more opportunities for kids in Nigeria to return to classrooms, instead of roaming the streets.
“All the funds generated through the Annual Charity Ball will be channeled towards provision of bursary to support the education of children who are out of school.
“Emphasis will be on the girl-child, orphans, physically-challenged and under-served kids.’’
Adeagbo said that no fewer than 100 children had benefited from the activities of the foundation in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, Delta, Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The foundation has also distributed more than 3,000 learning materials that benefited over 100 households across Nigeria,’’ she stated.
She added that the theme of this year’s Black Tie Charity is: “Securing the Future: the Imperative of Education for All.’’