Yesterday, I had the honour and privilege of speaking at the Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony of Pacesetters School, Abuja. I applaud Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon and Mrs Kate Imansuangbon for the high standards and qualitative education they provide at the schools.
I am most impressed with the foundational structure of the school system aimed at producing well-rounded and competitive citizens. These are long term investments in human capital, which are perquisites for sustainable development and nation building in the new Nigeria, which we believe is POssible. I have always advocated for greater investment in education. We now have 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, that is more than the Year 2022 combined population of Norway, Ireland, Singapore and Dubai, which is 19.7 million.
Nigeria, therefore urgently needs to do more with respect to investment in education. Education remains the greatest investment any nation can make for the citizens. I also appreciated the teachers of Pacesetters School, Abuja, while reiterating the need to always celebrate teachers for the sacrifices they make and the critical roles they play in the educational system, and ultimately, in societal development.
I narrated the story of Mr Akeem Badru, a school teacher at St Michael RCM Primary School, Ogunpa Lunloye, Abeokuta, Ogun State, who out of 11,000 nominations from 99 countries, won the 2023 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award, and became the first overall winner from Africa since the competition’s inception. Such are the people that should be given national honour and recognition, for the positive impact they make in society, rather than celebrating the same malefactors and individuals responsible for retrogression and governance failure in Nigeria. I once again congratulate the graduands and the school authorities. -PO
