Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has said the security challenges such as insurgency and banditry are all products of bad educational policies of 30 years ago.
El-Rufai who was on a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, told newsmen in Gombe on Saturday that educational reform is key to addressing the security challenges in the country.
According to him, many state governors do ignore education because its impact is not felt immediately but in 20 or 30 years.
“Insurgency, banditry and Boko Haram are all products of bad educational policies of 30 years ago. This is what we are trying to prevent in Kaduna State with our educational policies.
“The impact of investing in education may not be felt immediately but in 20 or 30 years. Education is a generational investment.
“You don’t see the result immediately that is why many state governors ignore education,” he said.
According to him, Kaduna state is ranked number one in Northern Nigeria and 12th in the country in terms of education as a result of aggressive implementation of educational reforms.
“We have made sure that every child in Kaduna State must and can go to school because his parents do not need to spend a penny.
“ The basic goal of our policy and everything we have done are investments toward rebuilding public schools for the children of the poor to get the same quality education as those of the rich.
He also stressed that education remained a key factor to uniting the country, adding “ educational is what enlightens people to become united and to eliminate or reduce division along religious lines.”
