Preventing truancy and reducing the number of out-of-school children topped the agenda at a meeting of Traditional Rulers held on May 15 at the Palace of the Eburu of Ibaland, Osun State.

The meeting was convened under the Ooni Ojaja Program for Traditional Rulers’ Intervention on Truancy Prevention, School Enrolment, and Engagement.

In his welcome address, the Director General of the program, His Royal Majesty, Oba Professor Adekunle Adeogun-Okunoye Oyedeji II — the Eburu of Ibaland, a Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at the Williams College of Business, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA — stated that the key mandate before the Traditional Rulers is to address truancy, school enrolment, and pupil engagement.

He urged the royal fathers to identify education-related challenges in their domains and ensure that every school-age child is not only enrolled in school but remains there during learning hours.

“It is not enough to get students into school. They need the support to stay in school and be actively engaged in learning,” said the Eburu of Ibaland, who also serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Atiba University, Oyo, Oyo State.

During the meeting, Traditional Rulers presented progress reports from their communities. They also discussed strategies to ensure the program’s success, including grassroots awareness campaigns and advocacy at the state level.

The Ooni Ojaja Program was officially inaugurated on October 16, 2024, at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II.

The initiative aims to reduce truancy, persistent late-coming, and dropout rates among school-age children in all Yoruba-speaking states, including Kogi and Kwara. It seeks to collaborate with schools, parents, and communities to tackle the root causes of absenteeism and disengagement, providing necessary interventions and resources to support children’s education.

By addressing these issues, the program hopes to lower the number of out-of-school children, improve academic outcomes, curb insecurity, and boost transitions into higher education and the workforce.

Recognising the unique cultural influence and authority of Traditional Rulers, the program designates them as Coordinators at the state, zonal, and local government levels.

Notably, at the local government level, two Royal Queens have been appointed as Coordinators. One of them, Olori Janet Afolabi — an award-winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom — attended the meeting. She serves as the Coordinator for Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State.