Former governor of Imo State and 2023 APC presidential aspirant, Rochas Okorocha, has urged the Nigerian government to provide free education to all children, particularly the underprivileged. Speaking during an event in Abuja organized by his Rochas Foundation to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, Okorocha emphasized the need for volunteerism to tackle Nigeria's education crisis, where 13 million children, 70% of whom are girls, are currently out of school. He called on compassionate Nigerians to help get girls back to school, insisting that education is a right, not a privilege.
He highlighted the need for collective efforts from wealthy individuals and volunteers, such as youth corps members and educated housewives, to assist in addressing the crisis. Okorocha also argued for the inclusion of local languages in education, saying that teaching in native tongues could help children comprehend their lessons better.
Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma praised Okorocha's efforts and encouraged the beneficiaries of the Rochas Foundation to strive for excellence, while Uchechi Rochas, the Foundation's Director-General, urged girls to recognize their strength and change the narrative that women are vulnerable.
