Minister blames terrorism, prostitution, child trafficking on poor quality of education

Nigeria’s overseeing minister of education, Mr. Nyesome Wike has blamed problems of terrorism, prostitution and child trafficking in the country on poor quality education.

Wike said this on Saturday at the 5th convocation ceremony of the Federal College of Education Eha-Amufu, Enugu State.

He urged stakeholders in the education sector to focus attention on key areas such as quality education, creative and innovative schemes that could attract and retain bright brains in the teaching profession.

“I urge those of us in the teacher sector to focus attention on key areas that would improve quality of education in the country.

“I believe Nigeria would one day become a modern-day miracle like Ghana in Africa and China in Asia continent. Nigeria’s current challenges could be substantially reversed through quality education”, he said.

The minister who was represented by a senior staff in the ministry, Rev Chris Ugorji commended the college provost over his improvement on infrastructures and academic excellence.

He explained that “all the laurels won by students of the college were eloquent testimonies to the current high academic discipline of the college. I urge the provost and his management team to keep it up”.

Wike urged the graduates to be good ambassador of their alma mater as well as the country by using the positive skills they had acquired to impact positively on society.

In a remarks, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, represented by Prof Uche Okoro, the commissioner of education in the state, challenged colleges of education to help in professionalizing the teaching profession so as to enhance quality of education.

“For quality of education to be achieved, teaching profession should not be all comers affair; only trained teachers should be allowed to teach in ours schools, whether private or public schools”, he said.

Also in a remark, the chairman of the governing council of the college, Dr E Enemuo said that the council was committed to high academic standard, quality infrastructural development and to ensure that the college becomes a degree awarding institution soonest.

He commended the college management on the newly commissioned medical centre annex, campus FM radio, entrepreneurship centre and multi-purpose hall, which he said was an indication of the positive focus and determination of the provost to make the college the envy of others.

Earlier in an address, the provost of the college, Prof Ben Mba expressed appreciation to the council members, staff and students of the college for their unquantifiable support and encouragement to his management team.

Mbah said that the aim of establishing the Campus FM Radio was to provide students with practical experience in broadcasting as well as to boost communication.

The provost said that his administration would continue to accord priority to students and staff welfare, noting that his administration was doing everything possible to provide accommodation for teachers in the campus soonest in order to enhance teaching, learning and improve communication between staff and students.