By Michael Tidi
History confirms that the growth of civilizations has always been framed by knowledge and skills acquisition. Thus as Aristotle put it eons ago: “all who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.” Similarly, Nelson Mandela once famously described education as the most important weapon capable of changing the world. Simply put, more educated societies end up being better provisioned to optimally dominate their environment for the purpose of achieving a high standard of living. For better or for worse, they then go on to project their influence onto other societies around the world and, indeed, (as in the case of First World nations) into space.
More significantly, education begets more education, such that it is those societies that take education seriously who perpetually push the frontiers of knowledge and determine the direction of socioeconomic, scientific and industrial advancement all over the world. On the other hand, countries with poor educational systems tend always to do battle with the same old enemies, grappling weakly with basic problems like food production, power generation, ravaging diseases and natural disasters, all of which ensure a high poverty level, low standard of living and loss of prestige in the comity of nations.
It is against this background that, eight months after assumption of office, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa organized a world-class education summit with the team, “leapfrogging Education in Delta State”, to chart a new way forward in the educational sector of Delta State in conformity with the evolving global trends in the field. The summit, which was chaired by Chief Afe Babalola, had in attendance other veteran and celebrated stakeholders in education who proffered solutions to the perennial problems being experienced in the country and Delta State in particular.
Notable members of the Summit included Emeritus Professor Pai Obanya, Prof. Israel Olatunji, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, Prof John Enaowho, Prof. Mrs. Cecilia Okobiah, Prof Gabriel Yomere, Prof. Douglas Omotor, Dr. Tony Urhobo, Amb. Godson Echiejile, as well as numerous Delta State Government functionaries.
Any factually oriented narrative of the summit would be incomplete if it is not situated within the context of Governor Okowa’s resolve to transform all facets of the state’s economy, which of course is in tandem with the SMART Agenda of his administration. His Excellency’ focal points in the last eight months have included schools rehabilitation and construction; enhancement of pupils’ performance and learning outcomes; human capital development; quality assurance; and educational planning and management.
Okowa has thus once more demonstrated his strong belief that Nigeria is well placed to catch up and pull ahead in the race to development – “if only we set our educational systems right. As already suggested, this must be the essence of all our efforts. For agricultural, scientific, and industrial progress, Nigeria needs a well-educated citizenry, and by this I mean ‘well educated’ at all levels.” The challenge is not restricted to producing university lecturers, engineers, doctors, lawyers and similar professionals only. Our auto mechanics; clerks, traders, builders, tailors, plumbers, law enforcement officers, etc can do much better for themselves and for the rest of the society if they come through a system that ensures qualitative education and certification at all levels.
Beyond the demands of academic standard improvement, the Okowa administration realizes that social skills and the attitude of our youth are critical growth factors in meeting the socio-economic challenges our nation must grapple with in order to emerge as one to be truly reckoned with on the global stage.
Another challenge that the administration took on is that of vocational and technical education. Of course, we know that we cannot seriously advance and sustain our infrastructure development without a pool of well-trained artisans, technicians and other skilled manpower. Delta State Government has therefore taken very firm steps to revamp and propagate technical and vocational education among our youths. Three technical colleges in Sapele, Ofagbe, and Agbor, have recently been rehabilitated and equipped for greater efficiency for this purpose.
In general, training and professional development of staff in the education sector is a core value of this administration. As new challenges and opportunities emerge, we cannot ensure the required quality of education unless we keep our teachers well equipped with updated information and teaching skills while overhauling our school curriculum and tailoring it towards self-reliance as recommended at the summit.
Instructively, and as if to confirm a fact that ought to be obvious to all by now, participants agreed that government alone cannot fund education, hence parents and the community must pitch in for our society to rise to the challenge of educating the nation. It is in this light that it is my fervent hope that Governor Okowa’s educational revolution will come to fruition with all hands on deck. Needless to say, it should be our common resolve as Deltans held together by bonds of unity, equity and love that by His Grace, the continuity of this administration shall be sustained through 2016 and beyond for the benefit of us all.
Tidi, S.A. News Media to Governor Okowa, wrote in from Asaba.
