The National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Conference and Founder, Gani Adams Foundation,( GAF) Otunba Gani Adams has charged on the need for an urgent step in arresting what he described as “the problems depressing our educational system”
He made the charge at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja at an event organized by the Foundation to mark this year’s annual World Literacy Day.
The event saw the Foundation doling out cash gift, branded books, stationeries among other educational items to schools present at the event, even as the Founder decried the high cost of education in the country especially at the foundational level.
The gesture, he said, is in line with his Foundation’s resolve to use the annual World Literacy Day to support government and private owned institutions with learning materials that will advance acquisition of knowledge.
He said so far, the foundation has provided academics materials, like exercise and text books to many private and public schools and libraries in Lagos State, with many students also ,under its educational scholarship.
“Our main trust is to provide socio-cultural, economic and educational empowerment for our teeming youths and also, restore hope to deprived nations.” he registered.
He submitted that “if it is taken that our future lies in the hands of our youths, then their hands must be well trained so that they can handle our future with diligence, care and responsibly.”
In the GAF Founder’s opinion, “it should be clear by now that, there is urgent step for us as a people to tackle the problems which depress our educational system.
“Government and the people should continue to accord high priority to education in order to achieve the national goals quickly” he admonished.
Canvassing that educational laws, regulations, practices and curricular should be based on the best Nigerian culture and traditions, Adams further charged that adult literacy should be pursued vigorously, insisting that “adult literacy and adult education are necessary to ensure an enlightened government and citizenry”.
He further pleaded that the machinery of the educational system should be checked periodically and suggested interactive sections between teachers, parents, guardians, past students, and the communities with a view to a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another.
The success of the system he submitted, is the achievement of freedom from ignorance, equal opportunity through access to education and those tangible assets of education which promote the quality of man and society.
“Knowledge, people say, is power. The recent pronouncements and policy of government on education has clearly shown that political power is being wielded to destroy the country’s organized centers for growth, and spread of knowledge.
“If it is taken that our future lies in the hands of our youths, then their hands must be well trained so that they can handle our future with diligence” he posited.
Expressing joy over the day’s event, with the Theme: Literacy In A Digital World, Otunba Adams registered his optimism that at the end of the lecture given at the event “we would have fashioned out a practicable , sensible, and campaign strategies that will help policy makers in the education sector to lay solid foundation which will bring the desired change and eliminate illiteracy in our society.”
Challenging the students present at the event, the GAF founder said they are the future leaders of the country and encouraged them to work hard in their academics so as to achieve their desired goals and attain greater height in life.
“Your destiny is in your hands, you must sacrifice your time today on the altar of hard work with determination, and harness your energy towards ensuring better and secured future.” he said
The Special Guest of Honour at the event was – Prof. Mrs Sophie Abosede Oluwole with Dr. (Mrs) Oluwakemi Ojeomogha as the Guest Speaker.
Also Present at the event are Prof. Kolawole Raheem of the University of Finland who also doubles as a Senior Researcher with UNESCO, Dr. James A.S. (Deputy Director, ministry of Education) represented the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Comrade Bright Eseosha and Pastor Adeolu Adeleye attended. Some of the Schools represented are Danbath College Ikorodu and Nigeria Red Cross Nursery/Primary School, Makoko, Lagos.
