By Asma’u Ahmad
The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, has advocated for a free and quality education for young.
A statement issued by Mrs Kori Habib, the Media Advisor, UNFPA Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday, quoted Wickramanayake as saying “education is the key to enable youths to reach their full potential”.
She said the envoy spoke at the opening of Financing Conference of the Global Partnership for Education, jointly sponsored by Senegalese President, Mr Macky Sall, and French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Jayathma Wickramanayake
She noted that education was essential for economic growth, conflict prevention and sustainable development, stressing that “it is time we redouble our efforts so that every young person can enjoy universal right to education: an education that is good and free.”
She lamented that millions of children and young people were deprived of education, noting that “we must not forget the millions of girls who drop out of school because of child marriage or teenage pregnancies.”
It said the UN youth envoy would undertake official visits to five countries in Africa from February 2 to 15.
According to the statement, the objective of the visit is to meet young people on the ground, learn about the work they are doing and issues they are facing.
It said the visit was to provide a platform for youth voices to be heard at the country level and at the United Nations.
