Nigeria’s Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan has described education as the bedrock for the socio-economic growth of the country.
Senator Lawan remarked during an interaction with delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.
The Senator said if voted into office as Nigeria’s President, education of the youth would be one of his major policy thrusts.
He reasoned that prioritizing the education of young people as is obtained in other developed countries would minimise restiveness and criminalities across the country as well as positively impact the nation’s economy.
“I have gathered a lot of experience as a lawmaker as well as in other areas. I know that there are issues that need to be tackled including security, economy and so on. We are ready and competent to handle every challenge.
“As a country, we need to create wealth, and employment opportunities; we believe in national development. This race is about improving the lives of Nigerians based on the ideals of our party.
“Nigeria cannot continue to depend only on oil. There is an urgent need for diversification. Our youths need to be fully part of our economy. We need to invest in education; it is the foundation of the development of every country.
“If you look at a country like Singapore, they had almost nothing, but they invested in their youths through education and that turned their fortunes around. We need a knowledge-based economy, which can only be built on education as it opens many doors of opportunities, we must invest now,” Lawan stated.
The Senate President further stated, “the son of a poor person should be able to go to school in the Nigeria we are building. This will make our economy better. If we have trained people and intellectuals then we will grow beyond imagination.”
On his capacity to deliver democracy dividends to the people, the Senate President asserted, “I have the energy, experience and the competence to make Nigeria better. I also believe in teamwork, I believe in working with people, who have acquired experiences in various fields and endeavours for us to progress as a country.”
A growth partner
In a remark, the governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade described Senator Lawan as a partner in the growth and development of the country.
Governor Ayade said that the Senate President could tackle security matters, especially those plaguing the northeast region of Nigeria and the challenges of the Niger Delta.
He promised the senate president: “I am also going to work for you if you get the party’s ticket. You have always stood by us as a state.”
Confidence Okwuchi
