Blessing Iruoma, Port Harcourt
To revive and make the economy of the nation more stronger, a nongovernmental organisation, the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), has urged the Federal Government to invest and give more attention to education.
The group insisted that investing on education would thrive the economy of the nation, adding that good education would also bring improved development to the country.
Chief Executive Officer of the OLI, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, made the call, on Saturday, during a one-day economic empowerment summit, held in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State.
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Fabeke urged the Federal Government to invest in education beginning from primary to tertiary level.
According to him, “No economy can thrive without any investment in education. Economists have shown that investing in education leads to major economic returns in terms of both salaries and GDP.
“It also contributes to an overall more successful economy and thriving labour market as employment tends to closely track increasing educational outcomes.
“Investment in education will provide the much-needed boost to the Nigerian economy. This is so because education equips our youths with essential skills they need in life.
“The skills acquired through learning provide our youths with more career and employment opportunities, enable them to be more effective in their jobs and compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
“Also, improved reasoning skills acquired through education helps employees to be more efficient and productive which in return help to boost GDP and improve the overall economy.
“It is, however, important to note that education cannot thrive without investment. The federal and state governments need to invest in education from primary to tertiary level by making it available and accessible.
“Even in this time of economic uncertainty in Nigeria, the leaders must invest in a better education system that will reinvent our economy and drive the growth Nigeria needs.
“The school curriculum should not only be focused on theoretical training of students but should also involve practical training that will enable students acquire practical skills that will make them to be self- employed at the conclusion of their academic sojourn”.
Dr. Fabeke disclosed that OLI Ogoni is working tirelessly to establish the HI-TECH POLYTECHNIC which he said objective is to train Rivers youths to acquire practical skills and become great entrepreneurs which would, in return, boost local production and have a greater positive impact on the Nigerian economy.
He said the objective of the summit was centered on addressing the various ways of revitalising and revamping the nation’s economic activities in the areas of Education, Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Environment, Entrepreneurship, ICT, Security, Health and Housing.
He stressed on the need for diversification of economy, adding that the world is gradually moving away from crude oil, hence the need for the government to start building on other means of economy.
He continued, “Economic diversification is a fundamental component of economic development in which a country moves to a more diverse production and trade structure.
“The absence of economic diversification is frequently associated with vulnerability to unemployment, insecurity, drop in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over reliance on foreign aid through borrowing.
“Achieving a robust economic diversification and growth requires that policy attention be paid to major sectors such as education, agriculture, oil and gas, environment, entrepreneurship, ICT, security, health and housing”, Dr. Fabeke added.
The Nigerian Xpress observed the flag-off of Ogoni Face of Peace and Development pageant at the summit.
