The Ogun State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, CPN, Adedamola Lapite, had lamented the rising rate of out-of-school children in the country, calling for a total policy shift in the training of children.
The child rights advocate asserted that not all street children are willing to return to school, stressing that it is imperative to shift their attention to vocational and talents driven studies.
He stated this while speaking at the grande final of the talent hunt programme organised by the Child Protection Network, CPN, in collaboration with the SOS Children Village, held in Abeokuta, Tuesday.
Lapite urged the federal government and other stakeholders to support the initiative of getting more out-of-school children off the street, into meaningful ventures
He said, “Through our interactions with some of the children, we discovered that many of them are not interested in returning to formal schooling. This informed our decision to organise a talent show where these children can showcase their abilities and potential.
“We observed that while many children have access to competitions and opportunities that help them discover and develop their talents, a large number of out-of-school children do not have such opportunities.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to support these children”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Women Affair and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, said the state is actively working with different stakeholders to address the challenges facing street children.
Adeleye, who was represented by Ajala Adenike, the Director of Child Development Services, revealed that the state government had made adequate provisions in its 2026 budget to improve the capacity of its personnel to assist children in round development
“The government is working actively to address the challenges facing street children. There is an international day set aside to celebrate them, which is observed around April 12, and provisions for this have been made in our budget.
“While some of these children may not be able to return to formal schooling, they can still learn vocational and life skills, which we have continued to promote and support whatever they are doing.”
She advised young children who are not in school to believe in themselves and recognise that they have value, talent, and a future rather than viewing themselves as outcast.