Jelil Lawal & Firdaus Obiremi
Barely 24 hours after PLATFORM TIMES reported the heartbreaking story of 15-year-old Ayomide Matthew — a school dropout found scavenging for survival in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital — another out-of-school teenager has been discovered at the same location, living under similar circumstances.
The new discovery came after the earlier report on Ayomide attracted responses from concerned citizens, including the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.
Following the reactions, PLATFORM TIMES revisited the scene in search of Ayomide and found him alongside another 15-year-old boy identified as Basit Akanni, both engaged in scavenging at the refuse dump along Panseke–Quarry Road, Abeokuta.
Clad in torn, dirt-stained clothes, Basit spoke in Yoruba as he recounted the painful story that forced him out of school and into the streets.
“I was too young when my dad left my mother,” he began. “Since then, I have been living with my mother, who is a petty trader.”
Basit said he once attended St. Andrew Primary School, Oke-Ile-Aro, Quarry Road, Abeokuta, but dropped out in Primary 3 following his parents’ separation.
“My mother was into local laundry services before she started selling small goods in front of the house,” he explained.
“She told me that I needed to start picking plastics for survival, and since then, I have been scavenging.”
Despite the risks and humiliation that come with scavenging, Basit said the meagre proceeds are barely enough to feed him and his mother.
“The little money I earn cannot even feed us, let alone fund my education,” he lamented. “I met Ayomide on the trash site some years ago, and we have been friends since then.”
The young scavenger appealed passionately to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and other well-meaning Nigerians to help him return to school.
“I want to beg our governor and other good people of the country to please help me. I want to go back to school,” he said, his voice trembling.
“Every morning, when I see other children in uniform, I feel bad and pained because I know I’m supposed to be in school, but instead, I spend the day scavenging.”
Earlier, PLATFORM TIMES had reported how Ayomide Matthew, also 15, was seen scavenging along Panseke Road during school hours.
When asked why he was not in class, Ayomide became emotional, explaining that his parents’ separation had left him homeless, unloved, and unable to continue his education.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that many observers are calling for urgent intervention by the Ogun State Government and relevant stakeholders to rescue children like Ayomide and Basit from the streets — and give them a second chance at a dignified life.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
