Kehinde Fajobi
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has pledged scholarships for the 32 minors recently released following treason charges tied to protests against economic hardship.
The scholarships would cover their secondary education, according to NAPPS.
Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kundak, Chairman of NAPPS’ Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the minors’ release during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Kundak highlighted the importance of education in fostering national unity and equipping young people for a brighter future in Nigeria.
“On behalf of NAPPS members nationwide, we use this opportunity to appreciate the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the release of the detained 32 minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests,” he said.
“In response to that, the leadership of NAPPS Nigeria is prepared to grant the affected minors scholarships up to secondary school level.”
Kundak also commended the President’s recent introduction of an entrepreneurship curriculum for primary schools, emphasising that “the need for skill acquisition for the development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised.”
To ensure the minors’ placement, he noted that NAPPS would work with relevant agencies to verify their educational levels and locations.
“We have tasked ourselves that, depending on where they exist, if they are from Lagos, they will be given a place to study in Lagos. If there are people from Bauchi, some of them will have a place to study free of charge.
This is something we are doing,” he said, adding that NAPPS would liaise with authorities for accurate student information.
Chief Abayomi Otubela, NAPPS’ National President, praised the newly approved Board of Trustees by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and urged private school owners to uphold high standards.
“We expect a situation where excellence is our standard, where there is no room for mediocrity,” Otubela stated.
“We expect a situation where respect for the rule of law is paramount in our association, where a board of trustees will set an agenda and will be able to stand by it.”