THE DILLAPIDATING STATE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA - KAZEEM OLALEKAN ISREAL (GANI)

We all know that one of the enduring legacies of Obafemi Awolowo is free and compulsory education which he preach and pursued till his death. It is now pertinent to note that Nigerian politicians, majority of whom patrol themselves as Awoists have neglected the education of the youths resulting in high crime rate and redundancy.

We all know that a society which fails to invest heavily on the education of the youths produces uninformed, uncultured and weak leaders at the helm of affairs of the state because they were disconnected from education while at their prime age. The Nigerian society today is bedevile with leaders who are not ready to invest on the education of the youths because they are so myopic and self-centred to the extent that their main focus of being in government is to accumulate immense wealth. They've turned education to be a priority and not a right as it is entrenched in the constitution.

It was with grief and heavy heart that I saw the picture of the Best Graduating Student from Osun State University that he took with his VC while the VC was presenting him with a mug in the name of the Governor. I know that it would sound preposterous to many right thinking and logical persons out there that, how on earth would a Governor who swore to improve the well-being of the people by presenting a mug to a student that came out with the best result in his institution. Though, it is not a new thing, because, the same thing was done to the Best Graduating Students of UNILAG sometime this year when he was awarded #500,000 by the school authority for coming out with the best grade. But, the school authority went as far as giving out car, et al to the Beauty Peageant on their campus. This show us that it is not about brilliancy again, it is about the stupidity one is able to display. The Nigerian Government is no more ready to pay for the accomplishment of their youth, but, rather, they're ready to doll out millions to a youth seen displaying open madness.

I personally have come to realise that this Government suppose to be paying us money based on our positive impact on the society. But, Alas! The Nigerian Government has been busy directing the money to irrelevances. Social amenities, One Chance! Infrastructure, NO!! Education, Zero!! This is the time to let the Government know that our tax money should be directed on the education of the youths as we all know that we are leaders of today, not tomorrow. Never forget that today was yesterday's tomorrow.

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.
Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace."

Civilization has accorded a fitting recognition to the rights of human beings to education. We the people of Nigeria must not be an exception. We must be accorded maximum and undeniable right to education to foster national development. The future of Nigeria cannot be guarantee if education is not specially made accessible, available and motivating. The quintessential way to secure the future of Nigeria is to invest heavily on education and make it accessible to the people.

This is the time to mount pressure on our 'dealers' to see education as a major investment thereby making it to be free and easily accessible to all and sundry. It is only through education that we can shape our destinies thereby developing our country.

 Be educated to be informed in order to tackle the shackles of ignorance.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI)
Member, Pacesetters Movement, OAU