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The 2024 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue has ended in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with a call on African countries to prioritise investment in quality education to promote sustainable development and stability on the continent.
Notable personalities who spoke on the theme: ‘Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership As A Panacea To Africa’s Growth and Development’, included the former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and his Benin Republic counterpart, Thomas Boni Yayi and the former Vice President of Zambia, Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba.
Others were Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, Education Minister, Prof Tahir Mamman, former Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Namadi Sambo, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi and the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Shri Balasubramanian.
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They were all unanimous that “for Africa to achieve meaningful progress and prosperity, priority must be placed on quality education.”
They equally paid glowing tributes to former President Dr Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts at promoting democracy on the continent.
They noted that the historic call he made in 2015 conceding defeat to his opponent had earned him a place of honour in Africa and beyond.
In his remarks, Governor Diri, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, identified character deficiency as a big obstacle to effective leadership and development in Africa.
He stressed that Nigeria had not been able to make the desired progress and play the leading role expected of her in Africa because most of its educated citizens lack moral character.
Governor Diri while acknowledging the place of education in nation building, however, noted that acquisition of knowledge without morality could do little or nothing to promote democracy and development.
He stated: ‘In 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, we had two universities and they were universities of quality. And so, the question now is: Are we doing quantity education, or we are doing quality education? Today, we have 272 universities. What difference has the quantity made?