A non-governmental organisation, Mind to Mind Initiative, has pledged to pay tuition fees of 500 students in some higher institutions of learning in Lagos to mark the 2019 International Youth Day themed, “Transforming Education”.
The coordinator of the NGO, Mrs Chinasa Amaechi, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) office Wednesday in Lagos.
Amaechi said paying school fees of indigent youths was part of transforming education and borne out of the determination and commitment to develop the youths.
“When countries invest in the education, health and empowerment of their young people, opportunities are created for them to realise their dreams as future of tomorrow.
“I urge other stakeholders to take up this challenge so as to help some of our youths back to school,” he said.
In his remarks, the director of United Nations office in Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja, said education should be free to all, acceptable, relevant, good quality and accountable.
“Every child has the right to education as this can make them active agents of change,” he said.
Kayanja said that young people should be allowed to participate in developing ideas and work to see the youths as an opportunity for Nigeria.
“It is time when the world, governments, development actors and communities celebrate young people as a force for positive social change.
Kayanja urged youths to channel their energy towards positive things rather than constituting nuisance to the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGO was set up with a primary purpose of changing and empowering the lives of young people.
NAN also reports that the school fees would be paid randomly among students of University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Yaba College of Technology.
