National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterated its commitment towards improving access to basic education through the implementation of programmes and policies.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo stated this in Lagos during the 40th anniversary reunion symposium organised by the 1979 Economics Class of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The symposium had the theme: Alternative approach to financing public university education for effective human capital development in Nigeria.
Osinbajo described the 10 million out-of-school children as an undesirable situation, adding that government was collaborating with the state governments to address the problem..
He said, “The state governments should complement the Federal Government’s effort by showing more commitment to the provision of basic education. Government is investing in education infrastructure at all levels to improve teaching and learning.
“Some studies have shown that girls are smarter than boys. Any nation that does not educate its girls is doing itself a great harm. How do you solve your problem when you lock up your best minds?”
He commended the OAU 1979 Economics Class for organising the symposium, saying it would add to the discourse on the need for better education.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the class, Chief Mark Dike, said the class was concerned about the state of affairs in the education sector.
Delivering the keynote address, a former Vice-President of African Development Bank, Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, called for increased funding of education to make it functional.
Also, the guest speaker, Mr Chinedum Nwoko, faulted the use of strikes by university lecturers to make demands from government.
