Compulsory quality education, a must for Nigerians, he says
A Non-Governmental Organ­isation (NGO), Dynamic Youth Organisation of Nigeria (DYON), has set agenda for the new Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shek­arau, on how to restore education standard in the country. National President of DYON, Chief Elvis Obiekwe, stated this in Lagos recently during the group’s evalu­ation of the Jonathan administra­tion in the first half of this year where they passed vote of con­fidence on President Goodluck Jonathan for his strides to restore the lost glory of the education sector.
The organisation commended Jonathan for appointing Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State, noting that calling off the nine-month strike of the Association of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education lecturers on assumption of office by the minister, showed that this administration was sensitive to the yelling of the youths. Excerpts:
The dispute between govern­ment and ASUP has led to fur­ther deterioration in education, what is your view?
It is unfortunate, education, accord­ing to the late South African Presi­dent, Nelson Mandela, is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world. But our leaders tend to undermine this fact that with­out education they would not have been where they are today. The ques­tion is, why do they choose to deny youths this valuable tool, education?
Lecturers are not asking for much. All they want is conducive environment; tools and their welfare to empower and render good service. Thank God, we have a listening president, who, of course, was a lecturer. The way he handled the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issue showed that he understood the terrain very well and he was able to meet the needs of the university teachers and they went back to the classroom.
The inability of some gradu­ates to defend their certificates is a source of concern to em­ployers, what is responsible for this?
That is part of what the govern­ment should look into. The reason is obvious. Our universities are glori­fied secondary schools. What do you expect? A situation whereby the environment is not conducive for learning, the lecturers are not moti­vated and the students lack learning materials, definitely, they won’t come out sound. The youths are a reflection of the society or a nation. Our leaders cannot shy away from that. But the present administration is doing its best to restore the lost glory in our educa­tion institution. The youths have lost confidence in their leaders and the system.
That is why all you hear from them is football analyses, as they don’t bother about governance because our leaders for a long time have kept the youths perpetually dependent on their mercy. Even with intimidating academic qualifications, youths are only given opportunities by the aged to work, as bodyguards and political thugs. Those in school after seeing what the ones who have graduated are doing for a living; they won’t be serious with their studies. This is the only nation that does not reward excellence. So, how do encourage somebody to put in his or her best in whatever they are doing knowing ful­ly well that the best is not rewarded.
With the appointment of Mal­lam Shekarau, as Minister of Education, do you see improve­ment in the sector?
During our recent meeting, DYON evaluated the Jonathan administration and gave him a vote of confidence because of his giant strides in educa­tion and youth matters. Hence, it has never been so good. Also the appoint­ment of Mallam Shekarau as minister received DYON’s approval because Shekarau like Jonathan was a lecturer. He understands the terrain very well; hence, the reason the polytechnic and colleges of education lecturers ended their nine months strike immediately Shekarau assumed office.
That is a sign that the former gover­nor knows what is lacking in the sec­tor. I know within the period he will oversee education, he will transform the sector. I want to remind you that DYON was among organizations that supported Shekarau’s Presidential ambition in 2011 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). DYON supported him even though he lost to the President. The minister is not new to DYON and we will continue to support him and President Jonathan now that he had joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That, to us, is an im­pressive move by Shekarau. It is on record also, that the new minister was adjudged the best governor during his second term in office and that is why DYON is elated when Shekarau was appointed minister.

Obiekwe, youth leader sets agenda for Shekarau