June 14, (THEWILL) – The 2024 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue has ended in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with a call on African countries to prioritise investment in quality education to promote sustainable development and stability in the continent.
Notable personalities who spoke on the theme: “Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership As A Panacea To Africa’s Growth and Development”, included the former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and his Benin Republic counterpart, Thomas Boni Yayi, as well as the former Vice President of Zambia, Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba.
Others were Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki; Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman; former Vice President of Nigeria, Mr. Namadi Sambo; the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Shri Balasubramanian.
They were all unanimous that “for Africa to achieve meaningful progress and prosperity, priority must be placed on quality education.”
They equally paid glowing tributes to former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for his efforts at promoting democracy on the continent, noting that the historic call he made in 2015, conceding defeat to his opponent, has earned him a place of honour in Africa and beyond.
In his remarks, Governor Diri, represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, identified character deficiency as a big obstacle to effective leadership and development in Africa.
He stressed that Nigeria had not been able to make the desired progress and play the leading role expected of it in Africa because most of its educated citizens lack moral character.
Governor Diri while acknowledging the place of education in nation-building, however, noted that acquisition of knowledge without morality could do little or nothing to promote democracy and development.
He, therefore, lent his voice in calling for governments at all levels and other stakeholders to be more interested in providing quality education and not the quantity of graduates churned out every year.
“In 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, we had two universities and they were universities of quality. And so, the question now is: Are we doing quantity education, or are we doing quality education? Today, we have 272 universities. What difference has the quantity made?
“To me, education without morality is the issue; not education with technology because those who rig elections are educated; those who do ‘Yahoo’ are educated. Even those who rob are educated. So, for me, the problem of Africa is education without morality.
“The certificates that our universities issue to us certify us as people found worthy in learning and character. So, why are we having character deficiency that is affecting leadership and development? So, education without character is no education,” he said.
Setting the tone for the dialogue, the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu, said this year’s edition was carefully planned to x-ray the critical role of education and effective leadership recruitment in actualising Africa’s development aspirations.
In his keynote address, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi urged African governments to adequately fund education and establish special schools for gifted citizens at all levels to enable them to harness their educational potential and contribute to societal growth and development.
Prof. Olubayi, who is the Chief Academic Officer of Maarifa Education Holding, took a swipe at African leaders for accepting and implementing policies and programmes deliberately fashioned out by the Bretton Wood Institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to perpetually enslave Africa.
Former Nigerian President and Founder of the Foundation, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; former Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadome; the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and the Deputy Governors of Bauchi, Delta, Ondo and Rivers states, among other dignitaries, attended the annual event.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
