International Youth Day: Gbajabiamila seeks transformation of educational system

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has urged government at all levels to find effective means to transform the Nigerian educational system to strengthen the capacity of the nation’s youths.

In a message commemorating the International Youth Day with the theme: Transforming Education, Gbajabiamila said the essence of education is to proffer solutions to challenges confronting humanity.

In a statement by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker noted that government at all levels have the primary responsibility of ensuring that every Nigerian is given access to basic and qualitative education.

He added that democracy and good governance would thrive in an atmosphere where a sizeable portion of the populace is educated and well enlightened about their civic responsibilities.

Assuring that the Ninth House of Representatives under his leadership would prioritise education matters, Gbajabiamila emphasised that revamping the sector had become imperative.

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The Speaker, in 2016 during his tenure as the House Majority Leader, sponsored a Bill to provide access to higher education for Nigerians through interest-free loans.

The Bill, which has been reintroduced in the Assembly and passed through first reading, proposes a Nigeria Education Bank, which will be established by law to provide education for all Nigerians without any discrimination.

He said: “As we celebrate the International Youth Day, I intend to use the office of the Speaker and the instrumentality of the law to fast-track the passage of this and others Bills that are capable of restoring hope to our youths to reposition them for the tasks of nation-building and global competitiveness.

“It is indisputable that the global economy is knowledge-driven, while the private sector has continued to play a leading and pivotal role in the economic development of states and nations.

“This is why we need to transform the Nigerian Educational System and why the youth should be encouraged to broaden their skills.”