Obasanjo Decries Increase in Out-of-school Children

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the increase in the number of out-of-school children in the country.

Obasanjo said lack of formal education and stagnated development were parts of the biggest problems confronting the country.

The former President stated this while speaking as the Chairman of the second convocation ceremony of Chrisland University, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo noted that about 14 million children who ought to be in school were out on the streets, saying this should worry everyone who wants the best for Africa.

“We have 14 million children that should be in schools and are not in schools; that’s more than the population of many African countries,” Obasanjo said.

Obasanjo urged the graduating students to remain focused, saying there are still opportunities in Nigeria in spite of the difficulties in the country.

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, lauded the institution for its commitment to quality university education.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Peace Babalola, said the university produced 28 graduating students for the second convocation ceremony.

Babalola said 28 graduates, including five females, made First Class honours, adding that Folashade Kikelomo Mary, with 4.80 CGPA from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, emerged as the overall best graduating student.