Lack Of Formal Education, Development, Part Nigeria’s Biggest Problems – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified lack of former education for about 14 million Nigerians and stagnated development as some of the biggest problems confronting Nigeria as a country.

The former President was quoted to have said this while speaking as the Chairman of the second convocation ceremony of Chrisland University, Abeokuta.

The media consultant to the University, Cletus Ilobanafor, in a statement issued over the weekend, quoted Obasanjo to have said that about 14 million children who ought to be in school are out on the streets.

According to the statement, Obasanjo said the figure of out of school children should be a source of worry to whoever wanted the best for the country and Africa as a whole.

He was quoted to have said, “We have 14million children that should be in school and are not in school that’s more than the population of many African countries”.

He urged the graduating students to remain focused in spite of the difficulties in Nigeria, adding that, there are still opportunities out there that they could make good use of to be great in life.

The governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, while rejoicing with the university on the occasion of its 2nd convocation praised the institution for its commitment to quality university education that is needed to produce manpower to address some of the country’s challenges.

Wife of Ogun State governor, Bamidele Abiodun also commended the university management for working round the clock to ensure that the convocation hold saying that “the year 2020 has been challenging for all of us but through it all, you have put together a splendid ceremony, I say well done and I have the assurance that you will continue to lift higher this banner of excellence”.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Chinedum Peace Babalola, congratulated the 28 graduating students who were awarded with Bachelor degrees and professional certificates in entrepreneurship, saying that their training in the university had also equiped them with skills for self-employment.

Prof Babalola said that among the 28 graduates, five of them who are all females made First Class while Folashade Kikelomo Mary with 4.80CGPA from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences emerged as the overall best graduating students.

Prof. Babalola said the university had instilled in the students entrepreneurial skills that would turn them into job creators and not job seekers.

She however added that the university management was proud of the number of graduates having been part of the university’s history.

The guest speaker at the convocation, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union, Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor charged African leaders to have the strong political will to ensure sustainable growth and impact the people for good.

Delivering the convocation lecture with the theme “Leadership, Sustainable Growth, and National Building in Africa: A Reflective Perspective” Prof Sarah Agbor explained that among the critical issues Africa faces today, is the bludgeoning youth population and with it, the challenge of youth unemployment.

She said data from the National Bureau of Statistics here in the country reveals that unemployment rate as at the second quarter of 2020 was 27.1%.

“For us to achieve AU Vision 2063, change the glooming narrative of the African youth, the leaders must invest in good governance to achieve this goal. Good governance is a reflection of an effective leadership and vice versa.

“Show me a leader with a penchant to serve his people, meet the needs and aspirations of his citizens, and achieve collective growth for the populace and I will show you a leader who is result/performance-oriented and implements good governance,” she said.