Egbewole advocates street children empowerment
By Abubakar Imam
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has called on philanthropists, industry leaders, and development partners to collaborate with the institution in order to effectively tackle the rising challenge of street-connected children through skills-based empowerment programmes.
Prof. Egbewole made this call penultimate Friday (November 7, 2025) while speaking during the presentation of the CyberCatch Initiative, a Senate Grant Project designed to rehabilitate vulnerable children using digital literacy and vocational training. The event was held at the Faculty of Education E-Library.
Prof. Egbewole, who was represented by the Deputy Registar,Vice Chancellor’s Office, Mrs Azeezat Q. Ibrahim, praised the research team behind the CyberCatch initiative for its commitment to community-focused development.
He noted that the University is prepared to expand the programme as he emphasised that supporting vulnerable children would contribute directly to reducing poverty and strengthening national productivity.
In his address, the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Lasiele Alabi Yahaya, explained that universities play an important role in generating solutions to societal problems through entrepreneurship and innovation.
He stated that the CyberCatch Initiative demonstrates how academic research can lead to meaningful social transformation.
Also speaking, Prof. A. S. Omosidi remarked that expanding programmes like CyberCatch could significantly reduce crime, youth idleness, and long-term dependency.
Prof. Omosidi, who teaches at the Department of Educational Management, described the initiative as a pathway to restoring dignity and hope among disadvantaged young people.
In her welcome address, the Principal Coordinator of the programme, Dr Nimota Jibola Kadir-Abdullahi, outlined the project’s achievements since its commencement.
Dr Kadir-Abdullahi explained that 12 children were selected and trained in digital literacy, life skills and vocational skills such as shoe-making, and soap and perfume production.
She noted that several of the shoes worn by participants at the event were produced by the trainees.
Dr Kadir-Abdullahi, who is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Management, University of Ilorin said that to ensure sustainability. each of the beneficiaries of the training was empowered with various production tools needed for continuation.
“These children are living testimonies that every young person can thrive when given the right opportunity,” she said.
Other stakeholders who attended the event expressed strong support for sustaining and expanding the initiative across the country.
