Obasanjo Warns: Staying Out of School May Result in Boko Haram Recruitment
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that the issue of out-of-school children in Nigeria creates a conducive environment for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents if not addressed promptly.
Obasanjo made this statement on Sunday in Bauchi during the inauguration of the dualized seven-kilometer Awala-Mairuguri Road and the 17.70-kilometer Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa National Airport Road. He also inaugurated the 30-kilometer Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road.
In his speech at the ceremony, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of education and human capacity building for societal development and safety. He referenced World Bank statistics indicating that over 20 million children are out of school in Nigeria, which accounts for about 10% of the country’s population of roughly 220 to 230 million.
He stated, “This is recruitment for future Boko Haram, and nobody needs to tell us that.” He added that the lack of education not only hampers individual development but also increases the risk of these children being recruited into banditry and other forms of violence in the future.
Obasanjo urged leaders at all levels to collaborate on finding sustainable solutions to this pressing issue. He praised Governor Bala Mohammed for his efforts in road construction and renovation, noting that these projects would foster development, enhance transportation, boost commerce, and create jobs.
The governor highlighted that his administration had constructed over 116 roads, totaling 1,482.25 kilometers, with 79 of them already completed and ready for inauguration.
Additionally, Obasanjo launched the distribution of 10,000 hearing aids to indigent individuals from the Northeast, facilitated by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
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