Nigeria Must Discard Colonial Education System – Dogara
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara believes Nigeria and indeed Africa will make the needed progress by discarding the colonial masters’ designed education system.
He said a system continuously churning out products that depend on others rather than products the nation can depend on is unproductive and inimical to the growth process in Nigeria and the continent in general.
The Speaker also advocated a change in Nigeria’s education system to focus on development of talents, rather than training of students to be employable only.
This, he noted, will put an end to the practice of churning out graduates that depend on others, instead of Nigeria depending on them to attain much needed development and progress.
Dogara, who was Guest Speaker at the matriculation ceremony of Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State, argued that it is time for an education system that will leave a mark and force the world to make room for graduates of Nigerian institutions.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Leadership by Products: The Role of Universities,’ Dogara further said: “You can be intelligent, smart and skilful but if that is all you have got, it’s an employer that will hire and pay you. But when you discover, develop and release your gift, it’s the world that pays you.
“Unfortunately, our education system was not designed to train students to identify and develop their gifts but to train us to be employable. Education is not necessarily the key to success and just like democracy, education guarantees nothing. I say so because the Bible does not say that a man’s education makes room for him, but that his gift does.
“Again, if education were the key to success, then all professors, all Ph.D holders and all the educated will be prosperous, stable, secure and happy. But sadly that is not always the case because it is one’s gift that is the key to his success.”
“I should never be understood to be saying that education is worthless. I believe in education and I know that education is most important in personal development and advancement but the point I am making is that we need more than education to make a mark that will force the world to make a room for us.”
Insisting that universities must take the lead by empowering and investing more in their students, he admonished Covenant University to ensure that its fruits (products) out-competes products of other universities through innovation, debate and encouragement of dreams and visions, even though it will not be an easy task.
He further said; “Universities must also be centre of excellence and innovation. The products of this matriculation must lead in innovation to honour one of the cardinal goals of this institution which is the “birth of path-finders, pace-setters and trail-blazers”. Without innovation no university can compete.”
In his remarks, Chairman, Board of Regents and Chancellor of the University, Dr David Oyedepo, expressed gratitude to God that 15 years after its establishment, the university had made remarkable progress in academics.
He told the students that the university placed priority on moral and spiritual upbringing, advising them to adhere to the rules and regulations of the university.
