Governments at the state and federal levels have been urged to prioritise education by increasing the sector’s budgetary allocation and providing infrastructure and facilities to secure future generations.
Amb. Akinremi Bolaji, Director of Economic, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the call during a public lecture in Ibadan on Friday.
The the lecture was organised by the Old Students’ Association of Iroko Community Grammar School, Ibadan.
Bolaji, who is the association’s Global President, underscored the need to be intentional about the nation’s quality of education.
According to him, meetings with stakeholders are crucial to forging partnerships toward collaborative development of the education sector.
He said that everywhere education was given a prime place, the government was not left alone to it.
“But you see, we have not incentivised other stakeholders for them to know that we need them.
“Businesses that are in the community must see it as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to support education in those places.
“This starts from building the structure and equipping the schools. It starts with ensuring that they provide jobs during the holidays for the children.
“You know, once it starts like that, you create interest and then their future is sure,” Bolaji said.
He stated that there could be an extension of the African Continental Free Trade to support the education sector.
According to him, there are lots of exchange programmes in Africa and the Pacific countries, other than America and Asia, that people target.
He further noted that the monthly lecture for the students of the school was part of the old students’ association’s efforts to reposition the institution.
Bolaji said the lecture was also geared toward developing the minds of students and shaping their behaviours to achieve greatness in life.
The director of economic, trade and investment reiterated the importance of imbibing the culture of saving as well as investment as a critical means of achieving wealth.
Traditional ruler tells students to shun vices
In his address, the traditional ruler of the Iroko Community, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye, enjoined the students to shun vices and take their studies seriously.
Abioye, recalling how he self-sponsored his education with his mother’s support, having lost his father at a tender age, said focus and tenacity were also needed to succeed in life.
The traditional ruler expressed readiness to support any student who would show some seriousness in his or her academics.
Meanwhile, the school’s principal, Mrs Olufunmilola Olu-Daniels, commended the old students for their gesture, adding that it would enhance the holistic development of the students.
“We are helping students to realise and achieve their potential and also to develop leadership skills,” she said.
The event featured speeches from students appointed as the One-Day Principal and Vice Principals.
The students, Wayilat Muhammed as principal, Testimony Babatunde and Azeezat Adekunle as vice principals, were presented with certificates and gifts.
I swear! This is the best urge I’ve come across so far under the rule of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Our president is originator of this idea 💡 when he was a governor of LAGOS.