The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has pledged scholarships to 32 recently released minors who were arrested during protests in Nigeria.
The minors, initially detained on charges of treasonable felony, were released following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja.
They were among the 76 defendants charged after the #EndBadGovernance protests that erupted across the country in early August.
The protests, which were initially peaceful, turned violent, leading to arrests and a series of charges.
Expressing appreciation for the minors’ release, NAPPS’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kundak, emphasized the importance of education in building a brighter future for the nation.
He announced the association’s readiness to support these minors through their entire secondary school journey.
“On behalf of NAPPS members nationwide, we appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the release of these detained minors,” said Kundak.
“In response, NAPPS Nigeria is prepared to grant these affected youths scholarships up to the secondary school level.”
The association’s decision to step forward underscores the growing role of private educational institutions in addressing social issues in Nigeria.
According to NAPPS, education will provide these young people with the skills and mindset necessary for national unity and development.
Kundak also praised the President for introducing a new entrepreneurship curriculum for basic schools, stressing the importance of skill acquisition in Nigeria.
“The need for skill acquisition for Nigeria’s development cannot be overemphasized,” Kundak stated.
He highlighted that NAPPS would coordinate with relevant government agencies to confirm the details of the minors and assess their academic needs.
Kundak said that minors from different states would receive placement options in various schools, ensuring accessibility for those from regions across Nigeria.
“We have tasked ourselves with making provisions for them,” he explained.
“If they are from Lagos, they will have a place to study in Lagos. For those from Bauchi, arrangements will be made accordingly.”
He emphasized that this process would include verifying their educational background to confirm if they have completed primary or secondary education.
The association plans to collaborate with authorities to obtain the minors’ academic records and ensure they are placed in appropriate classes.
In his speech, NAPPS National President, Chief Abayomi Otubela, praised the new Board of Trustees recently approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for its commitment to educational excellence.
Otubela warned owners of private schools operating below standard to either improve or risk facing repercussions.
“We expect a situation where excellence is our standard, and where mediocrity has no place in our association,” Otubela stated.
He added that the rule of law is paramount within NAPPS, emphasizing that the association’s leaders aim to create a positive impact through education.
The release of the minors follows increasing public scrutiny over the treatment of young protesters and the future prospects of these youth.
NAPPS’s intervention reflects a broader desire to guide and support these youths, especially as their participation in the #EndBadGovernance movement highlights their awareness of national issues.
The protests, fueled by frustrations over economic hardship, gained momentum before eventually descending into violence, sparking national debates on governance and civil rights.
This scholarship initiative by NAPPS offers the minors a chance to move forward constructively and rebuild their lives with hope and purpose.
