8th June, 2011
A former governor of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Jakande on Tuesday urged heads of governments at all levels to step up efforts to take education to its rightful position.
The renowned journalist and elder statesman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the poor state of education in Nigeria was due to neglect by succeeding governments.
“My advice to the newly inaugurated governments at all levels is for them to ensure that they honour all pledges they made during their election campaigns.
“First and foremost, they should make education their first priority by ensuring that they return it to its former high position,†Jakande said.
According to him, education comes first because development and achievement in life depend on it.
He listed housing needs of the people and provision of employment as the next priority the newly inaugurated governments must tackle.
The octogenarian said that Nigeria had great potentialities and resources that could bring about a turn around in fortunes for both the economy and the citizenry.
He, however, lauded the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state on measures taken to reposition the education sector.
“I know that Fashola and President Jonathan have been doing quite a lot in the area of education but I think a lot still needs to be done if we must actualise our vision 20:2020.
“If Fashola, being a hardworking governor and Jonathan— a listening President— work together, we can expect a return to the great old days of education,†Jakande told NAN.