By Arisekola Akanni
The deepening crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria has once again taken centre stage, with the District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 404B3 Nigeria, Adelaja Adeleye, declaring that sustained humanitarian partnerships are indispensable to rescuing vulnerable children and safeguarding the nation’s future.
He made the assertion on Thursday in Ibadan while addressing journalists at a press conference marking the commencement of the second joint convention of Lions International Districts 404B2 and 404B3, tagged AJOROSUN 2026.
The convention, themed: ‘Bonding for Humanity’ is holding at the Felicia Hall, Jogor Event Centre, and runs from February 5 to February 8.
The four-day gathering is expected to be attended by more than 2,500 members of the club and Leos from across the country to deliberate on critical social challenges confronting Nigeria, with particular emphasis on youth development and the alarming number of children excluded from formal education.
Activities lined up for the AJOROSUN 2026 convention include courtesy visits to the Oyo State Governor and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, alongside community-impact projects across Ibadan.
Leadership plenaries and capacity-building seminars are also scheduled to equip members with strategies for addressing pressing social challenges such as youth unemployment, child destitution, and community health deficits.
The convention will further feature health walks, aerobics sessions, sporting engagements, and cultural nights aimed at fostering unity among members, and will culminate in a grand banquet celebrating service milestones and outstanding humanitarian contributions.
Speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s development challenges, Adeleye warned that the country’s aspirations for growth and stability could remain elusive if millions of vulnerable children continue to roam the streets without access to education, skills acquisition, or positive social engagement.
According to him, tackling the crisis requires collective responsibility and strategic collaboration beyond government efforts alone.
“Humanitarian partnerships are key to nation building. Government cannot do it alone. Service organisations like Lions must continue to support interventions that take children off the streets and return them to productive paths,” he said.
Adeleye disclosed that Lions Clubs across Nigeria have rolled out targeted programmes aimed at addressing the out-of-school children crisis through education support, vocational training, and structured youth engagement initiatives.
He explained that the organisation’s youth development centres serve as safe spaces where vulnerable children and destitute youth are equipped with practical, market-relevant skills that enable them to reintegrate into society as productive citizens.
“We have youth development centres where we train them in ICT, fashion design, electrical works, and other vocational courses. The aim is to engage them meaningfully and make them part of society,” he noted.
“We partner with schools to improve learning environments. We also equip teachers because youth development requires a holistic approach,” he said.
He further disclosed that the organisation recently supported flood victims at Ijede in Ikorodu, Lagos, and internally displaced persons with about $15,000, noting that humanitarian emergencies often exacerbate the out-of-school children problem by displacing families and disrupting livelihoods.
In her remarks, the District Governor of Lions Clubs International, District 404B2 Nigeria, Oluwakemi Abimbola Eribake, said her district has intensified advocacy around mental health and youth engagement, warning that neglected children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, crime, and substance abuse.
She revealed that plans are underway to establish a vocational skills centre in Lagos following the acquisition of a training facility, as part of efforts to provide structured engagement for unemployed and at-risk youths.
“Most youths are not fully engaged. Through this vocational centre, we will provide structured training that keeps them productive and away from social vices,” she said.
Earlier, the Multiple Council Chairperson, Multiple District 404 Nigeria, Lion Dr Ibrahim Jide Bello, charged members to expand their humanitarian outreach to vulnerable groups, particularly children deprived of education and basic care.
He urged Lions across the country to remain steadfast in interventions that restore dignity, opportunity, and hope to the underprivileged, describing such efforts as essential to national stability.