Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday called on African leaders to prioritise education to shore up the fortunes of the African continent.
Jonathan made the call at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue, 2024, held in Benin.
Its theme was “Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development”
He said he valued education so much that his administration established 12 additional universities in states where there were no federal universities.
The former president urged state governors to search for the best brains and get the best out of them to develop the nation.
“I urge leaders of this country to collaborate, play special role to move the education sector forward.
“Let’s go round our primary schools in the country, pick the best in the country and ensure they get the best secondary education.
“We should make sure our secondary school are up to standard so our children gets quality education.
“I believe we can move forward with renewed commitment to ensure we deliver good education to our children, ” he said.
Jonathan thanked Gov. Godwin Obaseki for accepting to host the foundation, which event coincided with the education week of the state.
“I thanked the keynote speakers for opening the eyes of Africa leaders showing them the way to improve and develop the continent.
“I urge you all to meet with leaders in the education sector across the country to discuss the paper and improve our educational system to the benefits of our children.”
In his remarks, the Former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, commended Obaseki for his efforts in securing the future of Edo children through educational reforms.
“We must invest in education and ensure equal rights and opportunities for our children to ensure unity, peace, growth and development of the continent,” he said.
“We must fight to destroy corruption as is the cancer that destroys public trust,” he declared.
Also speaking, former President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, said functional education was needed to prepare Africa continent to take charge of the future.
Yayi noted that the dialogue provided the platform to reflect on issues, develop concrete strategy that would ensure growth and development of the African continent.
Earlier, the keynote Speaker and Chairman of University Council at Cavendish University, Uganda, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, had called on African leaders to ensure that all African children were 100 percent educated.
He noted that Africa was not making any progress because they do what other countries asked them to do.
“If Africa is to make any progress, we must do what we want to do not what other countries tell us to do.
“As much as you educate all Africa children, you must set up special schools for the most gifted and talented children.
” If African countries is to rise at all, every villages, city, town, local government must have at least one special school for genius and talented kids,” Olubayi said.
He warned African leaders never to rely on leaders of Western countries for survival, adding that they must stand on their own and ensure they create equal opportunities for all children in the continent to strive.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the event included former governor of Edo State, Osariemen Osunbor, former deputy governor of Edo State, Chief Mike Ogiadomen.
Also present were Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Deputy Governors of Edo, Balyesa, Bauchi, Delta and some National Assembly members.
