A former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has called on the Federal Government to address insecurity as a key measure to reduce the rising number of out-of-school children.
Oyinlola made the remarks during the matriculation ceremony of Alolade College of Health Science and Information Technology in Okuku, Osun State, emphasizing that safety concerns remain the main obstacle to school enrollment and retention in many communities.
The former governor, who is also the proprietor of the institution, stressed that parents are reluctant to send their children to school if they cannot be assured of their safety.
“I think the only way is to raise their security level to abolish the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and other acts that prevent children from attending school. If parents are not confident their children will return safely, why allow them to go?” he said.
Oyinlola urged the Federal Government to eliminate terrorism and kidnapping in northern Nigeria to encourage school attendance.
Addressing the new students, he highlighted the college’s commitment to providing quality health education and information management skills for sustainable national development.
“Our programmes are designed not only to equip you with technical knowledge and professional competence but also to instil values of integrity, compassion, responsibility, and leadership,” he said.
Oyinlola encouraged students to engage fully with their studies, instructors, and peers, stressing the importance of a lifelong learning mindset. He also assured parents and guardians that the college provides a safe, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment.
In his remarks, Professor Sola Akinrinade, Chairman of the Governing Council, advised students against using social media to negatively portray the institution, noting that such actions affect both the college and the students themselves.
“Unexpected things happen everywhere in the world. When you see unexpected events, please report them to college authorities,” he added.
