The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has called for the declaration of state of emergency on Education. Obi spoke yesterday at the Muson a Centre, Lagos, during the 105th anniversary of the founding of King's College, Lagos, where he was invited as a Special Guest to share experiences on how he was able to turn education around when he was the governor of Anambra State drawing from the fact that from near failure before he became Governor, now takes first position in external examinations.
Speaking, Obi said that Nigeria needed a completely new approach to education. Using statistics, he proved that Nigeria spends more money in education than many countries that comparatively do better than Nigeria. He said the problem was principally that only 20% of the money released got to the final destination.
On how he was able to turn education around for the country to learn from that, he said that in his first 4 years, he did everything, including pumping money into education with little success. "In my second tenure, I realized that we need to approach it differently. In defiance to all opposition, I returned schools back to the missionary owners, schools that were forcefully taken from them in 1970, which was a very irresponsible decision. After the return, we kept paying both the tutorials and non-tutorial staff. We also released over 6 Billion Naira for the rehabilitation of the schools," Obi said.
Speaking on other measures initiated by his Government to boost education, Obi said that he made all possible efforts to ensure that at least 90% of the money spent on education got to the schools. "Besides compelling development agencies to take their grants directly to the schools to circumvent numerous 'toll gates', we also gave money running into several Billions directly to the schools to equip their libraries, provide sick bays rebuild and equip their laboratories. This are in addition to the provision of over 500 buses, generators, internet connectivity, Microsoft academies, among others to all the public and missionary-owned schools in the State.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Segun Oni said that APC government would , if elected into power, review the curriculum, emphasize on re-training of teachers, increase the involvement of stakeholders in the management of schools.
The occasion which was chaired by Chief Philip Asiodu was attended by Kalu Idika Kalu, Okey Ezibe, Turner Coker, Demola Aladekomo, Hakeem Bello, Chike Obi, Herbert Okumagba, among others.
