Chidimma Uchegbu- Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Tuesday, urged students in Nigeria to be patriotic, build manners, and be principled in the way they viewed themselves in the future .
Minister made the call during the 56th Commonwealth Day Celebration in Abuja, appreciating the young citizen of the country that showed up for the parade.
“Show of nation and all the students that are present, that you are the future of our country,” he said.
The 2025 theme is a curriculum core for all students, teachers, parents, government and other stakeholders to collaborate collectively for progress in teaching and learning. This will enable the effective implementation of our educational reform. Inclusivity and quality learning nationwide, thereby leading to better opportunities and development for all.
“You have a President that believes so much in human capital development. And when we talk about human capital development, we’re talking about education, your education, getting high quality education, doing education that enables you to be useful to yourself, useful to the society, useful to your communities, useful to the country and useful to the world at large. So you are the future of our country, “he said.
He also said , “We will do everything to ensure you get all the opportunities. But you also have to give a reciprocal commitment back to the country, that you owe this country to be patriotic, to add value to the country and don’t engage in negativity. There’s no society that is perfect.
“We have our issues here. You go to the developed country, America, UK, Australia, they also have their issues. But their citizens do not talk down to their country.
“They don’t look at all the negative things in their country. These people look at the positives in their country. So I’m imploring you to emulate the way they look at their country and do the same thing for your country.
According to him, there are other shared scholarships for a range of courses that are partially funded. Commonwealth Youth Council empowers young Nigerians with leadership training, entrepreneurship support and networking opportunities. Adolescents and young people are encouraged to volunteer in their communities and make a difference.
“Young people aged between 15 to 29 years are empowered to achieve their potential in politics and other human endeavors. It is therefore very crucial to note that the 2025 team reaffirms a commitment to the principles that define the Commonwealth Union. Democracy, human rights and social progress in all aspects of life.
“We must strengthen our partnership, embrace innovation and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or status, has the opportunity to thrive, especially in education. In the education sector, we are strengthening collaboration and innovation that will enable young people to survive the complex challenges of our time. Open distance learning, blended learning in schools, the vision of extensive subject curriculum and focus on skill acquisition as a key.
Further, he advised them to focus on skill acquisition. It is now a forgotten thing that we will let the school train our young citizens in courses, in subjects, in areas of specialties that do not equip you with life skills. We are focusing heavily on skill acquisition so that as you are graduating and you are finishing your school, you are all equipped with life skills that will enable you to end living.
And when I say end living, I mean end very good living. The Commonwealth of Learning, in collaboration with the education sector, in technical and vocational education, open and distance learning and open educational resources. Open schooling is also being implemented with support of various agencies in vulnerable states to reduce the number of out-of-school children that Nigeria unfortunately has one of the highest out-of-school children in the world.
Travelling together requires bold vision and willingness to challenge the status quo. The ministry will be imagining how we deliver learning, digitalisation, a key towards addressing pressing global challenges like climate change, health crisis, inequalities and technological disruption for global competitiveness. Education is a powerful tool to equip our citizens with the skills, knowledge and mindset necessary to navigate these challenges and become agents of change.
He wholeheartedly believe that this commemoration will further strengthen our commitment towards intense partnership with relevant education stakeholders to restore the education sector for sustainable development and global competitiveness. Once again, I thank everyone that has contributed directly to the successful display of what we’ve seen today. We appreciate your hard work and once again to our young citizens, you are the future of our nation.
We believe in you. The President believes in your abilities. You will be the people leading the country.
