Chairman of The Dome Entertainment Limited, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo has called for improved funding of the education sector in line with United Nation recommendations so as to improve on the quality of human resources being produced for the country.
He made the call in Ogidi, Anambra state, Sunday, during the graduation ceremony of Divine Mercy Gifted School, which he built and donated to the community as part of his corporate social responsibility.
Okonkwo, who was chairman of the event, said that products of Nigerians education system clearly attest to the fact that lack of adequate funding for education has impacted negatively of the country.
According to him, for Nigeria to take advantage of its diversity and develop abundant talents and human resources that abound in the country, it must take more than an ordinary interest in the funding of education development including infrastructure, research and publications.
Dr. Okonkwo noted that with Nigeria’s growing population, it was only logical that education funding is taken more seriously as a means of focusing the attention of the youths and preparing them for the future.
He said the people of sub-Saharan Africa ought to be worried that more than half of the children that are yet to enrol in primary school live in the region, as captured in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals document.
He also called for the domestication of Child Rights Act across the country so as to protect children and ensure that they are provided with the basic needs that will enhance their future adding that a nation that fails to develop its children will have no future.
“The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals document tells us that more than half of children that are not yet enrolled in primary school live in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, we put the figure at more than 13 million.
‘This is despite the UN recommendation of the dedication of 26 per cent of the national budget in developing countries for education alone. This underscores the importance of funding education to create inclusive and sustainable growth.
“I therefore use this opportunity to call for more funding and support for education. I do this because if these little ones we are graduating today do not have access to quality secondary and tertiary education, where books and instructional material are readily available, their future will be jeopardised.
‘So, it is important that we get out acts together and put more money into education. Our future needs us to properly educate our children. And that’s actually what we owe them. We don’t owe our children cars and houses. We owe them quality education which opens the gates of possibilities for them”, Okonkwo stated.
Earlier in her address, Proprietress of the School, Rev Mother Amaka Osegbo lauded Dr. Okonkwo for donating the school infrastructure as well as subsidizing fees paid by pupils.
She said Dr. Okonkwo’s benevolence is felt by every child, and teacher, at the school adding that enrolment of children at the school has been on the increase.
Rev. Mother Amaka also called on wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dr. Okonkwo’s gesture by building and donating schools as well as subsidizing fees to encourage more children to go to school.
The event was highlighted by a dance performance, drama, and songs by the graduating pupils.
Okonkwo seeks improved funding for education
Okonkwo seeks improved funding for education
