… as LA-IRIS expands educational support to return out-of-school children to schools

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – A scholar, Professor Yusuf Turaki has urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and community influencers across northern Nigeria to take the lead in restoring learning opportunities for disadvantaged children affected by conflict and displacement.

Professor Turaki spoke at the weekend on the topic, restoring learning, redeeming lives, at the unveiling of the LA-IRIS Human Development Initiative in Jos, Plateau State, where he called for the use of pulpits to promote back-to-school campaigns and the establishment of community-based education systems.

Represented by Yakubu Nzee, he stressed the topic was vital as negative narratives and misinformation have kept many children away from classrooms.

He further stated that returning the children to school is a matter of humanity and rights as the training of an African child is a communal responsibility now watered down by suspicion.

The unveiling revealed that 500 out-of-school children affected by crises in the North West, North East and North Central will be profiled and reintegrated into formal education under the organisation’s expanded support platform.

Executive Director of LA-IRIS, Rev. Mancha Darong, said the vision for the initiative was born during the 2001 Jos crisis and has since evolved into a structured intervention aimed at restoring hope for vulnerable families and addressing Nigeria’s worsening education indicators.

He lamented that Nigeria accounts for a high percentage of the world’s out-of-school children, a situation that demands urgent attention.

In a remarks, Chairperson of the organisation, Mrs. Juliet Horace-Nwabunweng, reaffirmed LA-IRIS’ commitment to securing long-term learning alternatives for disadvantaged children.

She noted the organisation has operated for over a decade, and not only pays school fees but also monitors beneficiaries’ academic, behavioural and social progress to ensure the emergence of disciplined and productive young citizens.

Also, Chris Bature charged the organisation to continue to remain transparent, accountable and unwavering in its integrity as it expands its reach

Other stakeholders at the event pledged institutional support to strengthen partnerships that will secure a sustainable future for children affected by crisis.