In 2025, the Aliston Care Foundation is committed to reintegrating 1,000 out-of-school children into the education-minister-over-alleged-sack-of-varsities-vcs/” title=”Reps invite … minister over alleged sack of varsities’ VCs”>education system.
Engr. Emmanuel Oche John, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Aliston Care Foundation, announced this initiative during the annual stakeholders’ and fundraising conference focused on primary education and out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Addressing attendees at the Abuja event, Oche highlighted the multifaceted challenges confronting Nigerian society, including widespread poverty, health crises, insecurity, and underdevelopment. He noted, “Our nation grapples with a 4.5 percent unemployment rate, significant rural-to-urban migration driven by insecurity and unaffordable urban living costs, inadequate infrastructure-particularly in transportation-and harsh living conditions where over half the population subsists below the poverty threshold.”
He further emphasized that Nigeria accounts for 15 percent of the world’s out-of-school children, with approximately 10.5 million children aged five to fourteen not attending primary school.
Oche warned that neglecting to address this issue would only deepen cycles of poverty, increase crime rates, and hinder national progress.
In response, the Aliston Care Foundation has prioritized the mission of bringing these children back into classrooms. Their approach includes providing essential school supplies such as uniforms, textbooks, and scholarships to underprivileged students. Collaborating closely with school administrators, traditional leaders, and community advocates, the foundation identifies out-of-school children and offers them renewed hope for a successful future.
To date, the foundation has successfully re-enrolled 268 children from the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and Kaduna regions over the past year. This year’s ambitious goal is to return 1,000 children to school, with the first phase set to equip and enroll 121 pupils by next Monday.
Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, Member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the event, represented by Comrade Grema Bukar Mohammad, underscored the necessity of united action in combating the out-of-school children crisis. He reaffirmed his steadfast dedication to supporting efforts within the Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State.
Dr. Yusuf Imran, Dean of Student Affairs at Mewar International University and guest lecturer, delivered an insightful presentation outlining the societal risks of ignoring out-of-school children. He also discussed strategic interventions and the critical importance of implementing sustainable solutions.
The gathering concluded with a heartfelt appeal to philanthropic partners and stakeholders to join forces with the Aliston Care Foundation, ensuring the continuation and expansion of efforts to bring more children back into education.
