SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria has partnered with IUX to address the alarming number of Nigeria out-of-school children, particularly in Ogun State, by providing essential learning materials and transforming educational experiences for underserved communities

The Nigeria out-of-school children crisis remains a pressing concern, with SOS Children’s Villages divulging that approximately 10.5 million children are currently out of school, many lacking access to adequate learning materials.

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In a statement announcing a new partnership with IUX yesterday, Eghosa Erhumwunse, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, highlighted the severity of the situation.

He cited the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2022, which revealed that 63% of Nigerians, approximately 133 million people, experience multidimensional poverty, encompassing deprivations in health, education, living standards, and employment.

Erhumwunse explained that IUX, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has partnered with SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria to transform learning experiences for students at Ikija Community School in Ogun State.

According to him, the partnership, themed “Bridging Youth Future,” is designed to empower the next generation with essential learning tools, ensuring that every child is equipped to learn today and lead tomorrow.

He added that the collaboration between IUX and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria is rooted in a shared commitment to educational development.

He further stated that IUX would provide learning materials to enhance the learning conditions of children in underserved communities and offer support for the ongoing contributions of SOS Children’s Villages in that location.

“The future of Nigeria’s children rests firmly in the hands of adults today. We bear the responsibility of shaping the environment in which they will grow and thrive,” Erhumwunse passionately stated.

“The commitment demonstrated by IUX to enhance educational opportunities for Nigerian children is both commendable and aligned with the mission of our organization.”

While acknowledging the government’s primary role, he added, “While the government remains the primary duty bearer for children’s welfare, the scale of the challenge often exceeds its capacity.

It is therefore imperative for all stakeholders to actively participate in this collective effort.” Drawing on traditional wisdom, he concluded, “As the African proverb wisely reminds us, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ underscoring the holistic nature of child development.

This partnership should not be viewed as a one-time intervention, but as a sustained investment in a future that children can genuinely call their own.”

Vincent Itoya, IUX Key Account Manager for Nigeria, expressed the company’s pride in the collaboration: “IUX is proud to support SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria with this initiative, which aligns with our mission of bringing education closer to children.

By donating educational materials, we hope to give the next generation the essential tools for their success. We believe that education is the key to bridging a brighter future for youth, and we are excited to be part of it.”

He reaffirmed IUX’s ongoing commitment: “IUX remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster growth, opportunity, and learning, empowering young minds to thrive.”

Both IUX and SOS Children’s Villages are now calling on government bodies, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals to join hands in supporting the education of Nigerian children.

“Now is the time to invest in the leaders of tomorrow by giving them the tools they need to succeed today. Let’s bridge the gap to a brighter future,” they urged.