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Tag: Education

  • We’ll make education more accessible, Fed Govt assures

    We’ll make education more accessible, Fed Govt assures

    The Federal Government yesterday pledged to make education more accessible to Nigerians.

    Minister of State for Education Dr Yusuf Sununu made the pledge at the inauguration of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Surulere Campus, Ojuelegba, Lagos.

    Sununu described the establishment of the campus, aimed enhancing access to education by all, was in line with the eight-point agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    He enjoined the university management and prospective students to utilise the facilities provided well.

    “This centre has added to slots and access to education is going to be established, because you can operate from your neighborhood, particularly for students who want to pursue their academic career.

    “As the Federal Ministry of Education, we want to assure that we are in full compliance of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda,” he said.

    The minister said the government would  ensure that its certificate is one to be proud of and reckoned with.

    Similarly, Speaker, House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas said the programmes offered in the university would equip youths and adult learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive environment.

    “The unique approach to education, focusing on flexibility and open access, is, particularly, significant in our rapidly changing world.

    “It caters not just to the traditional student but also to working professionals, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners who seek to enhance their knowledge and skills to meet the evolving demands of the global economy.

    “The newly constructed campus in Surulere is a sign of hope and opportunity, it promises to be a hub of learning and innovation, contributing significantly to the local economy, creating jobs, and fostering community development.

    “The campus will make higher education more accessible, especially for those who may have faced barriers to pursuing their academic aspirations.’’

    Also, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said the essence of building the campus was to bring access to quality tertiary education to the doorsteps of people at the grassroots.

    According to Gbajabiamila, the idea is to make sure that distance and access to education no longer limit the ability of people to achieve big dreams and their grand ambitions.

    Read Also: UNIZIK hails Tinubu’s efforts in reforming varsity education

    “ This campus is part of a sustained effort to guarantee education access at all levels and for the people of Surulere and, indeed, people of Lagos State.

    “ This state is the Centre of Excellence; we must try to be excellent in all things, but more importantly, we must ensure that the generations coming after us have the training and the capacity to sustain excellence and take it to greater heights than we can even imagine.

    “ If we can ensure access to quality healthcare for our people and ensure that everybody who desires a good education gets it, this nation will be unbeatable in every sphere.

    “ These two objectives, ensuring access to world-class education and quality healthcare for all our nation’s people, are at the heart of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration,” he added.

    Gbajabiamila said the NOUN campus in Surulere would offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fields accredited by the National Universities Commission(NUC).

  • ‘Progressive movement must deliver on quality education for all, jobs for youths’

    ‘Progressive movement must deliver on quality education for all, jobs for youths’

    • APC to begin electronic registration

    President Bola Tinubu yesterday reiterated his commitment to the sustenance of the progressive ideology in the country.

    He said the progressive democracy should offer solutions  to the challenges of  poverty through the provision of job opportunities for youths and quality education for  children.

    President Tinubu spoke Lagos, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) unfolded plans to establish a National Institute of Progressive Studies, lunch an electronic registration and develop a reliable database.

    Led by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje,  the party commiserate with the president over the demise of the former House of Representatives Speaker Ghali Na’aba, and former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President expressed support for the establishment of the  Institute

    The President said the institute should be able to conduct diligent research and educate party members on the principles of democracy and good governance while providing a distinct identity for the platform.

    He said: “Democracy has faced challenges in the past, but I believe in a promising future for our country. We will deliver it. I am committed to supporting a strong and ideologically-determined democracy that is progressive, inclusive, and focused on eliminating poverty while providing quality education for our children.

    “Collaboration with various government arms is crucial, and I commend the leadership of our party for working hard to promote these essential ideals.”

    Read Also: TSCF unveils educational initiative for children

    The President urged the party leadership to target more youths and women in its e-registration and digital membership validation exercise scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of next year.

    President Tinubu thanked members of the party for the overwhelming show of support during the campaigns, general election and period of litigation.

    He said: “It has been a while since we have had the opportunity to come together, especially since the Supreme Court ruling. I had hoped for a gathering, but the demanding tasks of my office that we fought for have called for increased focus, dedication, and time,” the President said.

    On the alarming figure of out-of-school children in the country, President Tinubusaid: ”We must address this issue by establishing more schools, recruiting teachers, and providing at least one meal a day for the school children, aligning with the progressive ideology we aim to pursue.”

    APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje said the party will work for victory during the by-elections next year.

    He said: “We assure Your Excellency that under our leadership and with your consent, strategies have been put in place to win the support of our people and secure all the seats available for the electoral contest.”

  • Beauty queen embarks on education project in Southeast

    Beauty queen embarks on education project in Southeast

    • By Afolabi Oluwadamilare

    South East’s sixth Queen Beauty Pageant winner, Tiana Grace Michael, has embarked on a project to strengthen education among the region’s children.

    Her most recent project, the “Back to School” initiative, is aimed at improving the educational environment.

    She said education is the foundation of a prosperous society.

    She said: “My goal with the ‘Back to School’ drive is to ignite a spark of curiosity in these youngsters and provide them the confidence and motivation to achieve their goals.

    Read Also: Nigeria is in good hands, Tinubu assures citizens

    “The initiative’s central focus is steadfast dedication to supporting the younger generation’s educational endeavours.

    “The ‘Back to School’ effort is carefully planned to provide students with necessary writing supplies and to encourage meaningful dialogues that will encourage and empower them as they pursue their education.

    “Her unwavering commitment to societal progress is underscored by her dedication to providing every child with the fundamental tools required for academic success.

    “Apart from the simple act of distributing supplies, this project represents a show of support, encouragement and hope for a better future.”

    The expectation and optimism in Southeast’s leap to new heights as the reigning queen, Queen Tiana Grace Michael, prepares to set out on her life-changing voyage.

  • Ex-council chair urges leaders to invest more in education

    Ex-council chair urges leaders to invest more in education

    Former chairman of Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State, Israel Idaisin, has urged leaders to invest more in education.

    Idaisin, who spoke on Sunday during his thanksgiving service, Carol of nine lessons and musical concert, described education as the backbone of any country.

    Addressing the dignitaries, clergymen and people at the event, the former council chairman urged youths to embrace education, to enable them have a big chance to make a difference in their lives and society at large.

    He said: “I took it as a challenge to establish a primary school in my community, which hitherto had none, forcing young children to trek several kilometres daily in search of basic education. 

    “The school is free for all and I still pay the teachers from my personal resources while awaiting government official takeover of the school. This is one of my personal commitments because of the importance I attach to education. I also encourage our people in tertiary institutions through periodic payment of bursary.”

    Read Also: NUC approves 41 courses for new Niger State University of Education

    Thanking God for a successful tenure as council chairman after two terms, Idaisin said he did his best to deliver the dividends of democracy across the council.

    In his exhortation, the Methodist Archbishop of Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Emmanuel Udofia, advised politicians and leaders to show exemplary leadership, which will ensure that their activities outlive their earthly sojourn.

    He extolled the leadership qualities of Idaisin, describing him as a goal getter and a grassroots leader with the fear of God, noting that his era witnessed peace.

    Some of the prominent Nigerians at the event included the member representing Ikono/Ini in the House of Representatives, Emmanuel Ukpong Udoh; Special Adviser to Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Bassey Ekpeyong; former chairmen of councils, clerics, captains of industry and people from all walks of life.

  • Christmas2023. Allow parents participate in education voluntarily

    Christmas2023. Allow parents participate in education voluntarily

    Christmas 2023 will be severe for families across Nigeria and the world at war or under economic hardship.  There has been a worldwide over-commercialisation of Christmas, mostly minimising the fact of the birth of Jesus Christ and replacing that cornerstone joyful event with furious feasting, frivolous festivities, dangerous drinking, fiery fireworks, and receipt of, or exchange of, presents.

    Presents graduated from being discovered in shopping bags and are now camouflaged in expensive, embellished wrapping paper making the present a guessing game, before the wrapping gets torn off with little recycling for next year. Some homes do recycle wrapping paper but most fail.

    GET A RECYCLE PLAN, pls.

    We used to recycle office and birthday envelopes and Christmas and New Year cards with beautiful pictures as inspiration among school children in and around Educare Trust. Recycling is much more popular now as we ‘Save the Planet-COP28’. But more must be done. Others burn the packaging and the wrapping paper which ignores our human joint responsibility to act on the wrathful writing on the world’s wasteful wall. THIS CHRISTMAS, MAKE A PROMISE TO TEACH OTHERS NOT TO BE WASTEFUL: SAVE/RECYCLE YOUR CARDS, ENVELOPES, WRAPPING PAPER AND PACKAGING for something or someone else especially orphanages, normal homes and schools. Inside every envelope and card is an unused page in every card. Make jotters for family graffiti and rough work. Our harsh economy screams for practical household solutions. Presumably, God would be pleased if the human race eventually prolonged the life of God’s earth, by contributing positively to preventing negative climate change especially if all humans participate. Merry and Holy Christmas. Recycle! Recycle!! Recycle!!! Waste not, want not!

    Many Fellow Nigerians will involuntarily skip Christmas Lunch2023 and presents. Remember the N160m allocated for National Assembly, (NASS) cars and the N300m holiday expenses/senator and how much for representatives? Granted, some of the money will actually go to constituents, but only party faithful, abandoning other-party faithful to their hungry-at-Christmas fate. A criminally large percentage of the N300m is believed to be held back for personal NASS member use. So, we should cautiously cost NASS members’  ‘donatitis’. It is our money. 

    Fortunately, many governors and local government chairmen, corporate, community and religious leaders do ‘feed the hungry’ in IDP camps, in slums and orphanages and among the unemployed. Nigeria’s Christmas lunch table sits over 100 million hungry children and adults, all without presents and in need, not of politicians’ collective greed, but of measurable Christmas cheer.

    At Christmas we feed the need of the stomach, the need of the mind for a present and contain the greed lurking in every child and adult. ‘My present is smaller/larger than yours.’ If you trust your pastor, your priest, the nearby orphanage and motherless babies’ home matron and manager, get on your phone, get in touch and SEND A CHRISTMAS LUNCH MONEY ALERT for one , two, 20 of 100 empty stomachs and hungry mouths and needy teary eyes even as you dig into your guiltily wasteful Christmas Day Lunch.

    Imagine your personal pleasure as you picture 100 other mouths sitting, eating and silently thanking you as they are being fed by you, even as you eat with your nuclear family. Your children may ask why you are smiling so sweetly and you will tell them Christmas is a time for sharing God’s gifts to you and giving not getting greedily. And you must tell them who the unseen guests are at their dinner. It is part of parental responsibility to be handed to the children. That is not arrogance but merely to show a solidly good example to your children to be referred to and learnt from when they grow up and will hopefully seek to do as well as you their parents in giving and giving even more. AMEN. But charity, even Christmas charity to ‘those we know not’ seems not to be an easily transmissible gift.

    Read Also: Abia to partner private educational institutions

    Christmas is a time of reflection and increased care for children, those you know and those you do not know. Unfortunately, far too many millions of citizens have ignored the youth needs in their radius, during the year. Many parents will not empower and equip their children for learning. In fact, such parents are happy to hand their offspring over to the ‘government’ to educate them on government’s terms with government’s limited budgetary strength. Government hardly adequately funds even one out of three terms in a year. This suggests government has ceased to live up to role of main ‘Gatekeeper in Education’. Some governments paradoxically actually discourage, and even ban, teachers engaging even willing parents from assessing and voluntarily contributing to enhancing school academic and co-curricular activities and equipment.

    Surely there is no justification for denying voluntary parental support to obviously under-equipped, underfunded, struggling schools, lacking in almost everything from library to laboratory sports and recreational equipment. To reject contributions from parents, community of commercial enterprises in the vicinity is education suicide.

    In modern progressive education, the parents, in and out of PTAs, and Old Students Associations play a huge part in physical funding the schools by direct funding or provision of support material or equipment and prizes. All governments in 2024 must allow EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT by allowing creation of an ANNUAL SCHOOL NEEDS LIST for willing, voluntary, contributory donations, equipment from willing parents, old students and community.  NOW THAT WOULD BE A UNIVERSAL EDUCATION MERRY CHRISTMAS!

  • Education tops Taraba governor’s N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    Education tops Taraba governor’s N311.3 billion 2024 budget

    The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, on Friday presented to the House of Assembly the 2024 budget of N311, 388, 525, 661.96.

    A breakdown of the appropriation bill, titled: “Budget of Moving Forward,” N111,669,595,358.59 is for recurrent expenditure representing 39.5% while N199,708,930,303.37 is for capital expenditure representing 64.1% of the budget.

    Based on the sectoral allocation, education has the highest share of N43,208,278,849.28 representing 13.9% of the budget.

    Health follows with an allocation of N33,54,686,848.00k representing 10.6% and works which were allocated N24,804,232,263.17 representing 8.0% of the budget.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    The governor said the budget was anchored on the five-finger agenda of his administration which include: education, security, women/youth development, infrastructure and health.

    He explained that the budget will place specific focus on education including teacher training, improvement of schools and so on.

    According to Kefas, 5% of the budget will be allocated to the Greening Taraba Project in order to preserve the natural beauty of the State and mitigate the effect of climate change.

    Speaker of the House, John Kizito Bonzena, acknowledged the good working relationship between the executive and the legislature in the State.

    He assured of a speedy passage of the budget in order to keep up with the January-December timeframe.

  • ‘Ineffective education policy implementation worrisome’

    ‘Ineffective education policy implementation worrisome’

    The Federal Government has expressed worry over ineffective implementation of policies in the education sector.

    Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Andrew Adejo, expressed the concern, during the 67th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held in Ikeja.

    The theme of the NCE meeting is: ”Addressing the Challenges of Policy Implementation: A Panacea for  the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda.”

    Adejo, who was represented by Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu, the Director, Educational Planning, Research and Development (EPR&D), Federal Ministry of Education, said there was the need to ensure proper implementation of education policies for a robust sector.

    The theme:  ”Addressing the challenges of policy implementation: A panacea for the achievement of education 2030 agenda”, is apt in view of the fact that our policies are usually well-crafted, but are faced with ineffective implementation’’, he said.

    The permanent secretary said the educational policies faced delay and lack of regular review to reflect national needs and aspirations, lack of consistent monitoring and evaluation to check policy implementation.

    ”When policies that guide a nation are not implemented at the appropriate time, the consequences are backwardness, under development, unemployment for graduates, poverty and insecurity.

    ”However, to tackle the challenges of policy implementation, all hands must be on deck,” Adejo said.

    According to him, over the years, successive governments have been confronted with numerous challenges which majorly centred on paucity of funds for funding education programmes and activities.

    He, however, said both the Federal Government and many state governments had begun to prioritise funding education, as witnessed in the budget estimates, already before the National Assembly and some state governments.

    The permanent secretary hoped other states would also emulate such budgetary example for the good of the nation.

    ”It is not enough to have adequate funds to show positive improvement in our education sector, we must all commit to put in our best to ensure that programmes are delivered appropriately to reach the desired beneficiaries.

    ”To make policies more concrete and valuable, policy implementers; curriculum planners; curriculum developers and policy-makers must imbibe realistic policies that the country’s education makes them less dependent on others for survival by analysing reliable factors that obstruct or accelerate the implementation process. ”Effective monitoring and evaluation of the National Council on Education (NCE) decisions has also been identified as a game-changer in actualising policies, this will not only make our educational system functional but globally competitive,” he said.

    Adejo urged stakeholders to make meaningful contributions that would proffer possible ways of addressing the challenges facing effective policy implementation in the education sector.

    Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the NCE was a major stakeholders’ forum designed to brainstorm and collectively articulate ideas, towards improving education service delivery of the country.

    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, urged educators in the education sector to ensure they turn out graduates that are fit for the labour market.

    ”As we jointly deliberate on critical issues pertaining to the educational development of our children with the intention of proffering lasting solutions to identified problems.

    Read Also: Lasaco Assurance contributes to capacity building in education

    ”I seize this opportunity to remind us all, either as career professionals or elected officials to expand our thoughts and strive to produce self-reliant youths through our educational system.

    ”We must re-engineer and reposition our education policy making and implementation strategy to deliver graduate students who will blend with the labour market demand.

    ”It is in pursuit of this goal, that, we are here gathered as stakeholders to exchange ideas and agree on some proposed reforms,” he said.

    The governor said the theme of the NCE meeting was apt as its gave an avenue to co-create and collaborate towards enhancing quality of teaching and learning.

    He said this would provide more refined educational models and proffering lasting solutions to the challenges of policy formulation in the education sector.

  • Revitalising the research and education sector

    Revitalising the research and education sector

    • By Tosin Samuel Afeniforo

    A nation’s strength in the global pursuit of growth and development lies not only in its natural resources or economic prowess but, primarily, in the depth of its research endeavours and the quality of its education. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s education and research sector have experienced a significant deterioration in recent years, which poses a serious threat to the country’s development. For Nigeria to effectively utilize its human potential and remain competitive in the global arena, it is important to embark on a comprehensive and well-planned revitalization effort.

    Our nation’s research and education sector faces a significant challenge due to inadequate financing. UNESCO recommended that member states allocate 4 to 6% of GDP or 15 to 20% of public expenditure (annual budget) to fund education. However, in Nigeria, the allocation to this sector in the annual budget has been woefully insufficient (5.4% in 2022, 8.2% in 2023), leading to little or zero funds available for genuine research, dilapidated infrastructure, outdated equipment, and a general decline in the quality of education. To overcome these challenges, we must take a constructive approach by increasing the budget allocation for research institutions, as well as basic and higher education. This will help attract top-tier researchers and educators and provide students with the necessary resources and facilities to excel academically.

    Encouraging research culture is a critical driver of progress and development. The long-term failure to invest in the research and education sector has led to much brain drain (recent exodus of young researchers) in various research institutions, hampering the nation’s development. It was reported recently that over 5,000 exceptional scholars and competent lecturers leave Nigeria each year for other countries. By investing in research, we can stop the massive brain drain, and unlock new opportunities for innovation, technological advancements, and economic growth.

    Likewise, it is essential to establish an environment that supports research and development, including creating more research centres of excellence, fostering collaborations between academia and industry, and incentivizing researchers through grants and recognition. By doing so, we can promote our research culture and improve our society through various innovations.

    Reinvigorating education requires revising and modernizing the curriculum to keep pace with the ever-evolving world. To equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle the complex challenges of modern society, curricula must integrate problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical skills. Additionally, it is essential to encourage vocational and technical education to ensure that graduates are well-rounded and possess the practical skills necessary to succeed in the job market. We call on the Bola Tinubu administration to motivate the relevant stakeholders to review our curriculum and modernize it to meet global standards.

    Read Also: UHC Day: Tinubu unveils plan for massive investments in health sector

    To achieve a successful resurgence of research and development, it is important to have a constructive partnership between the public and private sectors. It is essential to acknowledge that the government cannot address all the challenges alone. Therefore, the private sector’s support is crucial in bridging the gaps in infrastructure, financing, and expertise. The constructive partnership between the two sectors can take several forms, such as funding research projects, offering internship programs, and setting up scholarship funds. However, the government must create an enabling platform that can encourage the private sector to invest in research and development. By working together, both sectors can leverage their strengths and create a more robust and sustainable environment for research and education.

    Nigeria’s research and education sectors need revitalization, but with a collaborative and comprehensive strategy, we can achieve this goal. The government, academia, industry, and society have a vital role to play in demonstrating their commitment to this cause. The advantages of investing in a well-funded and research-focused educational system are huge; this will not only position Nigeria as a hub for innovation and creativity, but it will also produce a skilled and competitive workforce.

    It is high time Nigeria redeemed itself in today’s world. The country cannot afford to fall behind in the drive for development and prosperity on a global scale. To create a strong foundation for a better and more successful future, Nigeria must embrace public-private partnerships, update the learning curriculum, invest in education, and promote a culture of research. Nigeria has the potential to achieve significant rewards by taking action. It is a call to action that Nigeria cannot afford to ignore. I implore the current administration to consider these recommendations seriously and take bold steps toward transforming our research and education system. Visionary leadership has the potential to leave an indelible mark on the history of our great nation.

    I remain hopeful for a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigeria.

    •Afeniforo is a sustainable development practitioner and Ph.D. scholar at the IUSS Pavia, Italy.

  • Our plans for education, by Fed Govt

    Our plans for education, by Fed Govt

    The Federal Government is working to achieve the 2030 education agenda thorugh adequate implementation of policies.

    It acknowledged that inefficient and policy summersault was hindering the growth of education, and so called for concerted efforts to address the situation.

    Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, spoke at the opening of the 67th National Council on Education (NEC) meeting in Lagos. The meeting was themed ‘Addressing the Challenges of Policy Implementation: A Panacea for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda’.

    Adejo, represented by the Director, Educational Planning and Research and Development of the Ministry, Mrs. Anigbogu Uju, said it is important for stakeholders to build a system that delivers strong foundation for life-long learning, and using education as a tool for national development.

    According to him, lack of regular review of policies, inconsistent monitoring and evaluation to check policy implementation that reflect national needs and aspirations, were some of the major impediments to development the sector.

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    He said: “When policies that guide a country are not implemented at the appropriate time, the consequences are backwardness, under-development, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, etc. However, in order to tackle the challenges of policy implementation, all hands must be on deck. 

    “Over the years, successive governments have been confronted with numerous challenges which majorly centre on paucity of funding for education programmes and activities. However, I am happy to note that both the Federal Government and many states have begun to prioritise funding education as witnessed in the budget estimates already before the National Assembly.

    “It is not enough to have adequate funds to show positive improvement in our education sector, we must all commit to put in our best to ensure that programmes are delivered appropriately to reach the desired beneficiaries.”

    Adejo, therefore, called on policy implementers, curriculum planners, developers as well as policy-makers to imbibe implementable and realistic policies that will make the educational system functional and globally competitive.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said it has become expedient to reposition education by making and implementing strategies to turn out graduates fit for the labour market.

    Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, added that stakeholders must strive to ensure self-reliant youths are produced through the state and national educational system. 

    He described the meeting as ‘an avenue to co-create and collaborate towards enhancing quality of teaching and learning that would provide more refined educational models and proffering lasting solutions to the challenges of policy formulation in the education sector’.

  • Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers in Enugu State, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have hailed Governor Peter Mbah for allocating a whopping 33 per cent of the total 2024 budget sum to the education sector.

    Civil society groups and economists have also lauded the governor for approving people-focused infrastructural projects and programmes capable of turning the fortunes of the state around.

    Mbah had on Tuesday laid a N521.5billion 2024 Appropriation Bill at the House of Assembly. The budget tagged: “Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth”, comprises N414.3billion Capital Expenditure, representing about 79 per cent of the budget and N107.2billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent of the budget. 

    Whereas the economic sector and infrastructure came tops on sectorial allocation basis with N207.8billion and N182.9billion in the Capital Expenditure distribution, education got 73.6 per cent of the social sector provision, and 33 per cent of the entire budget.

    Reacting to the budget estimates, Chairman of the Enugu State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Theophilus Odo, said: “The governor has shown in every way that he has great interest in education. 

    “Honestly, when he said during the last convocation at Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) that education would get over 30 per cent of the budget, we hardly believed him because it had never been like that anywhere in Nigeria, including at the federal level. But with this, we are very happy and relieved that a leader is giving this all-important sector the deserved attention.

    “As the governor rightly pointed out in his budget speech, education is one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainable eradication of poverty. By implication, this budget is for the benefit of our children, the teachers and the entire society.

    “So, on behalf of the entire teachers of Enugu State, I say a big ‘thank you’ to the governor for his great vision for education in the state.”

    Read Also: Reps committee expresses anger as INEC fails to appear for Budget defence

    A development economist, Chibuzo Aniekwe, described the budget as a testimony to the overarching vision of the Mbah administration. 

    “The budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year tilts heavily to inclusive growth, as it is inclined toward 78 to 79 per cent Capital Expenditure and 21 per cent Recurrent Expenditure. The Capital Expenditure shows massive growth in infrastructure in sectors such as Smart Early Education and functional Tier One Health Services. 

    “It is instructive to highlight the underpinning far left reduction in Recurrent Cost, which explains disruptive innovation, as most government transactions shall move from Labour Intensive method to Technology Intensive deliveries. 

    “The huge infrastructure shall accentuate circular flow of cash and income redistribution, which puts the government back to its fundamental duty as agent of economic distributive justice. 

    “This budget will reduce inflation as it shall cause efficiency of resource use and resource optimization,” Aniekwe said.

    The Director of Communications and Public Enlightenment, Centre for Humanity, Peter Ugwu, said the “enormous allocations to the social sector and economy show a good intention to lift the people out of poverty and avail them of quality social services.

    “The intended investment in education, infrastructure, health, water, among others, is a signpost of a government that is people-oriented. On our own, we will monitor implementation and hold the government accountable when it is eventually passed and signed into law.”