The Democratic Front (TDF) has hailed the launch of a new initiative by the federal government to address the scourge of out-of-school children in the country.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF described the programme as yet another effort by the Bola Tinubu administration that is targeted at human capital development.
It said: The Lumina programme is one of the many initiatives introduced by the Tinubu administration running into two years now to address challenges in the education sector.
“We are elated that this particular initiative, which is aimed at improving access to basic education, especially among vulnerable children nationwide, is achieving its purpose.
“It is our belief that the programme will go a long way to permanently address the alarming rate of out-of-school children, currently estimated to be over 10 million, and we are equally confident that it would also positively impact the educational pursuit of the girl children residing in the hard-to-reach and underserved communities in Nigeria.
“We, however, advise that the programme should be institutionalized for effective continuity because of its potency to provide foundational literacy and numeracy education for the girl-child.
“TDF therefore calls on all stakeholders in the education sector in Nigeria, particularly the Northern states and local governments, to ensure that out-of-school children within their jurisdiction benefit from this laudable programme.
“Our position is against the backdrop of the undeniable fact that the northern region is the worst hit by the menace of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
“And this painful reality has provided an enabling environment that unfortunately nurtured deadly insecurity, abject poverty, and economic backwardness in the region.”
The group also urged the political elite and other stakeholders in the Northern states to support the quest by the Tinubu administration to wage a successful war against the menace.
