As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in celebrating the 2023 edition of International Children’s Day, Founder and Proprietor of Gregory University Uturu, Prof Gregory Ibe has called for increased budgetary allocation to the education sector.
Speaking through a goodwill message to Nigeria children, Prof Ibe who contested for governor in Abia state during the 2023 general elections, contended that investing in education remains the best way to secure the future of Nigeria.
According to Prof Ibe, incoming administrations at state and federal levels should prioritize education by undertaking strategic reform of the sector to ensure subject curricular review in line with the current skills demand in the global labour market.
In his words,” In view of the fact that this year’s Children’s Day celebration falls within the period of transition of governments at state and federal levels, I want to request the incoming administrations to embark on reform of the education sector in order to guarantee strategic review of subject curricular that will enable our children lay the necessary foundation for acquisition of skills and competencies that will make them relevant in the global labour market”.
Continuing he said,” As a departure from the past, there should be increased budgetary allocation to the education sector to ensure provision of adequate funding for the needed comprehensive reform policy, covering such areas as revival of dilapidated infrastructure, procurement of ICT equipment, curriculum review and recruitment of more personnel”.
Stressing that every investment committed to educating the Nigerian child impacts positively on the future of the nation, Prof Ibe enjoined leaders to commit afresh to the task of ensuring the provision of technology backed entrepreneurial education for all children.
While wishing the children a great outing on their day, he reminded them that as leaders of tomorrow they should begin early to equip themselves with competitive skills that will distinguish them in future, and promised to keep championing the provision of world class infrastructure for achieving their aspirations, both as a private corporate citizen and political thought leader, leveraging Gregory University Uturu and Innov8 Hub Centre Abuja.
Traditionally celebrated as a colourful day of pomp and pageantry, May 27 was officially set aside as a holiday for Nigerian children in 1964. The day is usually devoted to activities highlighting peculiar challenges confronting children.
Pst.Sleek Ogwo,ANIPR
Deputy Registrar,
Communication and Strategy,
Gregory University Uturu
.