A comparison keeps exact statements separate and makes reviewed policy links visible without inferring consistency.
8 Sept 2024
On this International Literacy Day, I join the global community to remind us of the importance of education, which I have consistently maintained, is the most effective tool for development in any nation.
For us in Nigeria, I have consistently argued that education is the greatest investment the government can make for the development of our Nigerian society. The obvious lack of commitment to educational growth in the country has continued to unleash many dire consequences on the nation. As I have always said, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow.
We cannot have an army of over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets and not be worried about crime and insecurity in the nation.
Even with our about 62% literacy rate as claimed by the government, we still significantly fall below the 87% global average.
This, therefore, is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to prioritise investment in education, especially at the basic level.
For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, the N251.47 billion budgeted for Universal Basic Education remains low.
Let me, once again, cite a scenario I had earlier painted before. Imagine using N160 million to buy vehicles for the legislators, the total of which came to about N60 billion. Local Car manufacturers, Innoson would have sold the same vehicles with about a 50% discount, saving us 50% of that cost, which would be about N30 billion and above all, transacting with INNOSON would not have involved foreign currency.
At the N10 million cost of building 5 classroom blocks in a primary school for basic education, the saved amount would have given us 3000 structures which will go a long way in reducing the number of our children without classrooms and currently learning under the trees. This would have helped us to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children who are roaming the streets today.
With the ongoing discussions about the minimum age requirement for admission into universities, I do not wish to argue for or against it. I am more particularly concerned with aggressively cutting down the cost of governance and channelling the resources into the critical areas of education, and health and pulling people out of poverty.
I encourage us, the political leaders, to prioritise investment in education for our collective progress.
A New Nigeria Remains POssible. -PO
Read translationOn this International Literacy Day, I join the global community to remind us of the importance of education, which I have consistently maintained, is the most effective tool for development in any nation.
For us in Nigeria, I have consistently argued that education is the greatest investment the government can make for the development of our Nigerian society. The obvious lack of commitment to educational growth in the country has continued to unleash many dire consequences on the nation. As I have always said, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow.
We cannot have an army of over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets and not be worried about crime and insecurity in the nation.
Even with our about 62% literacy rate as claimed by the government, we still significantly fall below the 87% global average.
This, therefore, is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to prioritise investment in education, especially at the basic level.
For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, the N251.47 billion budgeted for Universal Basic Education remains low.
Let me, once again, cite a scenario I had earlier painted before. Imagine using N160 million to buy vehicles for the legislators, the total of which came to about N60 billion. Local Car manufacturers, Innoson would have sold the same vehicles with about a 50% discount, saving us 50% of that cost, which would be about N30 billion and above all, transacting with INNOSON would not have involved foreign currency.
At the N10 million cost of building 5 classroom blocks in a primary school for basic education, the saved amount would have given us 3000 structures which will go a long way in reducing the number of our children without classrooms and currently learning under the trees. This would have helped us to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children who are roaming the streets today.
With the ongoing discussions about the minimum age requirement for admission into universities, I do not wish to argue for or against it. I am more particularly concerned with aggressively cutting down the cost of governance and channelling the resources into the critical areas of education, and health and pulling people out of poverty.
I encourage us, the political leaders, to prioritise investment in education for our collective progress.
A New Nigeria Remains POssible. -PO
Today, the global community marks World Population Day. Properly understanding the population size and dynamics, and having an accurate population census is one of the most critical tools for national planning and development.
The United Nations recommends that nations conduct population censuses at most every ten years. In Nigeria, however, the last population census was conducted in 2006, making it about 20 years now, without any clear population review.
For us in Nigeria, World Population Day holds a significant message for everyone. Beyond the blessings of having a huge population, our dear nation stands at an advantage with its highly youthful and energetic population. Research shows that about 70% of Nigeria's population is youths. Nigeria also stands as the country with the largest youth population in Africa and among the top 10 countries with the largest youth population in the world. This demographic advantage offers Nigeria great potential to establish itself as an economic powerhouse, not just in Africa, but on a global scale.
The question, however, remains, "Have we made the right investments in these young Nigerians to ensure that we have a productive population contributing to national development?" We have over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets in Nigeria. A UNICEF report states that one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. What efforts are we making to take these young minds off the streets and give them the necessary education for development? What investments have we made in education which, as we know, remains the biggest investment any nation can make for its population?
As it stands now, Nigeria has an unemployment and under-employment rate of over 35% and a youth unemployment and under-employment rate of over 45% which is one of the highest globally, fueling all sorts of criminality and social vices. This stems from the overall lack of productivity that pervades every sector of the nation. The micro, small and medium enterprise sector (MSMEs), which is the engine of economic growth in any nation, has continued to die gradually in Nigeria.
On a day like this, may we remind ourselves that each and every one of us has a role to play in righting the wrongs of yesteryears which have kept us down. We must now collectively commit to building a nation where our children will see hope in their future, our youths will find opportunities that match their talents and efforts and our elderly will find peace and reward for their years of labour. We must collectively enthrone the leadership that will invest in and care for our population with no one left behind.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Read translationToday, the global community marks World Population Day. Properly understanding the population size and dynamics, and having an accurate population census is one of the most critical tools for national planning and development.
The United Nations recommends that nations conduct population censuses at most every ten years. In Nigeria, however, the last population census was conducted in 2006, making it about 20 years now, without any clear population review.
For us in Nigeria, World Population Day holds a significant message for everyone. Beyond the blessings of having a huge population, our dear nation stands at an advantage with its highly youthful and energetic population. Research shows that about 70% of Nigeria's population is youths. Nigeria also stands as the country with the largest youth population in Africa and among the top 10 countries with the largest youth population in the world. This demographic advantage offers Nigeria great potential to establish itself as an economic powerhouse, not just in Africa, but on a global scale.
The question, however, remains, "Have we made the right investments in these young Nigerians to ensure that we have a productive population contributing to national development?" We have over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets in Nigeria. A UNICEF report states that one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. What efforts are we making to take these young minds off the streets and give them the necessary education for development? What investments have we made in education which, as we know, remains the biggest investment any nation can make for its population?
As it stands now, Nigeria has an unemployment and under-employment rate of over 35% and a youth unemployment and under-employment rate of over 45% which is one of the highest globally, fueling all sorts of criminality and social vices. This stems from the overall lack of productivity that pervades every sector of the nation. The micro, small and medium enterprise sector (MSMEs), which is the engine of economic growth in any nation, has continued to die gradually in Nigeria.
On a day like this, may we remind ourselves that each and every one of us has a role to play in righting the wrongs of yesteryears which have kept us down. We must now collectively commit to building a nation where our children will see hope in their future, our youths will find opportunities that match their talents and efforts and our elderly will find peace and reward for their years of labour. We must collectively enthrone the leadership that will invest in and care for our population with no one left behind.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
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