A 300-level law student from the University of Abuja, Mr. Adeyemi Sky, emerged victorious in the Amnesty International and French Embassy Debate competition held in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The event, organized to commemorate the 2024 International Law Day, focused on advocating for the right to education.
Ms. Barbara Magaji, Programme Manager at Amnesty International, emphasized the significance of education as a fundamental right for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
Speaking at the competition in Abuja on Tuesday, she stated, "Today is the International Law Day; and to commemorate the day with the French Embassy in Nigeria, we have partnered to organize this debate."
Magaji reiterated that education should not be confined to urban areas but should be accessible to all. "Access to education should not be restricted or limited to big cities alone," she asserted.
The cooperation attaché at the French Embassy, Ketty Ris, echoed this sentiment, noting that education is recognized globally as a fundamental human right.
She pointed out alarming statistics: over 18.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria, with 60% being girls.
Dr. Nasir Muktar, Director of Clinical Legal Education at the University of Abuja, stressed that the right to education is enshrined in the constitution and must be enforced through effective frameworks.
He advocated for a local education system tailored to Nigeria's unique cultural context.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemi Sky called for increased budgetary allocations for education, citing UNESCO's recommendation that 15-20% of national budgets should be dedicated to this sector. He noted that current allocations fall short, contributing to a significant number of children missing out on schooling.
