Prof Olu Aina @80: Education Experts Call For Revival Of Education Sector In Nigeria

Education experts have called on Governments at all levels to see revival of education sector as utmost priority.

This is just as they urged stakeholders in the education sector on the need to embrace vocational and technical education for the country to develop.

The education experts contended that only through the incorporation of vocational and technical education into Nigeria’s plans can development targets be attained.

Speaking at the 80th birthday celebration of the pioneer Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB), Professor Olu Aina, OFR, the experts argued that it was incumbent upon all and sundry to ensure revival of the lost glory of education in Nigeria.

The birthday, held in Osogbo, Osun State capital was well attended as it drew guests from politics, academics, business, public service and royal institutions.

In his lecture titled “The Place and State of Education in Nigeria’s Development: Imperative and Urgency of Reform. Can the Dry Bones of Quality Education Rise Again?” the guest lecturer, Professor Peter Okebukola of Lagos State University said the current image of education in the country needs urgent redemption.

Okebukola said, “we have reviewed the state of education in Nigeria, examined ongoing reforms and hinted that the fault in the system is not due to any other but ourselves (Nigerians). As architects of our fortune or our misfortunes, we can turnaround to be the best we so desire.

“All stakeholders in education have roles to play in redeeming the poor image of the sector. Government, teachers, parents, learners, the media, religious organisations, private sector, non-government organisations and local communities, and others, should play our roles.

“It is the responsibility of government to lay down policies for the smooth running of the educational system. Beyond policy formulation, standards setting and policy implementation roles. Within this global picture, government (federal, state and local) should carry the funding burden of between 70-80% of the educational sector of a country at our stage of development.”

According to the Professor of Computer Education, the present policies on education are old and must be reviewed.

“On policy formulation, cross-national comparisons confirm that the Nigerian National Policy on Education and policies enacted at the State and local government levels are among the best in the world. When viewed in the hat that the system for which these good policies are enacted on the weakest in the world, we cannot look too far to isolate efficiency in policy implementation as the culprit. On most police descriptions including quality and quantity of infrastructure, quality and quantity of teachers, quality of the instructional delivery process, the system has faltered.”

In her speech, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Professor Modupe Adelabu said the role of technical education cannot be overemphasized in the development of a Nation. While calling on the government to revive the sector, she admonished that what Prof Olu Aina did while in the helm of affairs at NABTEB must not be allowed to die.

During the ceremony, three books were launched in honour of the celebrant.

They are: Reflections on Traditional Institutions, Community Leadership and Development; Technical and Vocational Education and The Challenge of Development in Nigeria; and Perspectives on Higher Education and Good Governance in Nigeria. All were edited by Professor Siyan Oyeweso and other erudite scholars.

In his address, the governor of the State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola showered praises on the celebrant. He said he is happy to be the governor of “an erudite scholar whose performance at various levels has turned him into a global icon.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi described the celebrant as an achiever whose work will continue to speak about him forever.

The monarch showered royal blessing on the cerebrant, his family, Osun and the country at large.

Among visitors at the event were Former Governors of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, Senator Ajibola Basiru and hosts of others.