The three-member delegation comprising Mrs. Udegbue Stella, Director of Out-of-School Programmes; Mrs. Samuel Charity, Director of Entrepreneurship; and Miss Aderibigbe Theresa was warmly received by His Imperial Majesty and Her Regal Majesty, Olori Ambassador Dr. Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi.
Their visit followed a formal letter dated April 10, 2025, requesting royal support in mobilizing key stakeholders across Southwestern Nigeria for the pilot rollout of the Commission’s educational initiative targeted at out-of-school children.
During the visit, the team head, Mrs. Udegbue expressed heartfelt appreciation for the royal hospitality extended to the team, describing it as exceptionally warm and inspiring.
"We have been visiting royal palaces across the country, but the warmth and genuine hospitality extended to us here are truly unmatched," she stated.
She further commended Her Regal Majesty for facilitating the visit on short notice and highlighted her unwavering passion for supporting underprivileged children. “Her Majesty’s heart for the vulnerable and commitment to creating opportunities for those most in need reflect the true spirit of service and royalty,” she said.
Mrs. Udegbue explained that the national programme was inspired by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Muhammad Sani Idris, whose long-standing commitment to improving access to education predates his current role.
According to her, “The Commission aims to take at least four million children off the streets. Our Executive Secretary has been championing similar initiatives before his appointment. What we’re doing now is building on that legacy.”
She disclosed that while the pilot phase had already commenced in Kaduna for the Northern region, the Ibadan center would serve as the hub for Southern Nigeria covering the South West, South East, and South South geopolitical zones.
The Southern pilot, scheduled to begin in the first week of May 2025, will train 150 learners from across the three southern zones in vocational skills, divided into two batches over a six-month period.
In his remarks, the Ooni commended the Commission’s leadership and described the initiative as both noble and timely. He emphasized the urgent need to address the rising number of out-of-school children in the country and reiterated the importance of partnerships between traditional institutions and government agencies.
“This is a commendable intervention,” the Ooni said. “Education remains the greatest tool for societal transformation. I am fully ready to support this initiative in whatever capacity is required to ensure it reaches and impacts the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities.”
The visit ended with mutual pledges of collaboration and a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and educated Nigerian society.
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