AFRICAN PEACE ORGANISATION MARKS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTECTING EDUCATION FROM ATTACK WITH OUTREACH TO ABUJA SCHOOL
By Itoro Etukudo
APO engages pupils on the value of education, donates writing materials, and strengthens advocacy for safe learning spaces.
As part of activities to commemorate the International Day of Protecting Education from Attack, the African Peace Organisation (APO) on Friday, September 12, visited LEA Primary School, Abuja.
The International Day of Protecting Education from Attack is an international observance established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020 and observed on September 9 of each year.
It was established to generate attention to attacks on students, teachers and education institutions during armed conflicts. The day was also set aside to promote and protect the right to education and facilitate the continuation of education in armed conflict.
During the outreach, representatives of the organisation engaged the pupils with an interactive session on the importance of safeguarding education and the role of children in building a peaceful future.
They emphasised the need to protect learning spaces from violence, conflict, and neglect, while encouraging the pupils to value their education as a tool for empowerment.
As part of the programme, the organisation distributed gifts and writing materials to the children, aimed at supporting their learning experience and motivating them to remain committed to their studies.
The school’s principal, Mrs. Yemi Abayomi, in her remarks, expressed deep appreciation to the African Peace Organisation for the visit and the thoughtful contributions made to the welfare of the pupils.
“You’re welcome to our school, we are very happy as you remembered us today. We appreciate you for gifting our children writing materials and I believe that next time, you will do more than this,” she said.
She further noted that the gesture would not only boost the children’s morale but also remind them of the significance of education in achieving personal and national development.
The Editor-In-Chief of the African Peace Organisation, Mr. Noah Ajare, speaking on the outreach noted that education is currently under attack as a result of various factors which should be fought against.
“Education is usually under attack by poverty, religion, perception and cultural reorientation. In some climes, you will see that young girls are not allowed to go to school because they believe that they don’t have future in education, rather prepare them for marriage.
While in other climes, you will see young boys who have become the breadwinners of their families at a very early age when they’re supposed to be in school. So, a lot of factors have besieged education such that it is under attack,” he said.
He noted that the organisation took up the project because it is part of their core mandate to educate, empower and promote peace.
“It is part of our core mandate as an organisation that we reach out and help the society in anyway that is possible. The youths, the children are very central in the things that we do because they are the future of tomorrow.
When you start teaching them about peace from a very tender age, they grow up to value it and it goes a long way in reorienting our children,” he added.
He further highlighted that the outreach formed part of the build-up to the 4th edition of the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit scheduled to hold in Namibia, as well as the 15th edition of the African Peace Award Ceremony set to hold in London.
“We have two major events that is coming up in October and November respectively. In October, we have the International African Energy, Oil and Gas Summit that is coming up in Namibia which is in the 4th edition.
One of the core purposes of the summit is to secure the energy provision and availability in Africa, that is, Energy Security. The theme for this year is “Getting it right”.
While the African Peace Awards will come next in November in London to celebrate those who have done their quota to the development of peace in the community and country generally,” he added.
The outreach reflects the organisation’s continuous drive to combine advocacy, humanitarian support, and strategic engagement in its mission to foster peace and progress across the continent.
